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Review
. 2023 Oct 10:13:1178553.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1178553. eCollection 2023.

Novel therapeutic approaches for pediatric diencephalic tumors: improving functional outcomes

Julia V Cockle  1   2 , Elizabeth A Corley  3 , Bassel Zebian  4 , Samantha Hettige  5 , Sucheta J Vaidya  1 , Paola Angelini  1   2 , Joanna Stone  1 , R Jane Leitch  6 , Assunta Albanese  1   7 , Henry C Mandeville  1   2   8 , Fernando Carceller  1   2   3 , Lynley V Marshall  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Novel therapeutic approaches for pediatric diencephalic tumors: improving functional outcomes

Julia V Cockle et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

Pediatric diencephalic tumors represent a histopathologically and molecularly diverse group of neoplasms arising in the central part of the brain and involving eloquent structures, including the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA), optic pathway, thalamus, and pineal gland. Presenting symptoms can include significant neurological, endocrine, or visual manifestations which may be exacerbated by injudicious intervention. Upfront multidisciplinary assessment and coordinated management is crucial from the outset to ensure best short- and long-term functional outcomes. In this review we discuss the clinical and pathological features of the neoplastic entities arising in this location, and their management. We emphasize a clear move towards 'function preserving' diagnostic and therapeutic approaches with novel toxicity-sparing strategies, including targeted therapies.

Keywords: Langerhans cell histiocytosis; craniopharyngioma; functional outcomes; germ cell tumor; glioma; molecularly targeted therapies; pediatric diencephalic tumors.

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Conflict of interest statement

LM has received consultancy/advisory board fees from Bayer, BMS, DayOne Biopharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Illumina and Tesaro, and is a member of independent data monitoring committees for clinical trials run by Eisai and Merck. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Illustration demonstrating diencephalon anatomy with clinical presentation/symptoms presented according to tumor location. ICP, intracranial pressure; D.I, diabetes insipidus; GH, growth hormone. Created with BioRender.com.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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