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Targeted Treatment of Brain Metastases

  • Neuro-oncology (L Abrey, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Brain metastases are the most common intracranial tumors in adults. Historically, the median survival after the diagnosis of brain metastases has been dismal and medical therapies had a limited role in the management of these patients.

Recent Findings

The advent of targeted therapy has ushered in an era of increased hope for patients with brain metastases. The most common malignancies that result in brain metastases—melanoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer, often have actionable mutations, which make them good candidates for targeted systemic therapy. These brain metastases have been shown to have relevant and sometimes divergent genetic alterations, and there has been a resurgence of interest in targeted drug delivery to the brain by using standard or pulsatile dosing to achieve adequate concentration in the brain.

Summary

An increased understanding of oncogenic alterations, a surge in targeted drug development with good blood barrier penetration, and inclusion of patients with active brain metastases on clinical trials have led to improved outcomes for patients with brain metastases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA

    Nicole Shonka

  2. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa, USA

    Vyshak Alva Venur

  3. Brain Metastasis Research Program, Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Department of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Neurological Institute, 9500 Euclid Ave, S73, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Manmeet S. Ahluwalia

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  1. Nicole Shonka
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  2. Vyshak Alva Venur
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Correspondence to Manmeet S. Ahluwalia.

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Nicole Shonka and Vyshak Alva Venur declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Manmeet Ahluwalia has received grants and personal fees from Elekta, Incyte, BMS, Astrazeneca, and Novocure. Dr. Ahluwalia has also received grants from Tracon and Novartis, along with personal fees from Monteris Medical, Caris Life Sciences, MRI Solutions, Abbvie, Elsevier, and Prime Oncology.

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Shonka, N., Venur, V.A. & Ahluwalia, M.S. Targeted Treatment of Brain Metastases. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 17, 37 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-017-0741-2

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