Case ReportOpen Access

AbstractTop

Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors which usually pursue a benign course. Extracranial metastases from meningiomas are very rare and the lung is the most common site. We report a 27 year old girl with an intracranial atypical meningioma with pulmonary metastasis which had been misdiagnosed as lung sequestration upon chest CT examination. She underwent subtotal surgical resection of the meningioma in 2006 and surgical removal of the lung metastasis in 2009. Then, the patient developed pleural, lung, periesophageal and diaphragmatic nodal metastases, despite only subtle increase of the intracranial residual meningioma. Therefore, she was treated by Doxil (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin) and bevacizumab with a progression of disease after three cycles and then with hydroxyurea for two months with a dimensional increase of metastatic lesions. After adding sorafenib to hydroxyurea the patient showed a further progression disease and finally died for respiratory insufficiency. Metastatic meningiomas have been rarely reported. Hydroxyurea is one of the most used drug in recurrent and metastatic meningiomas, despite modest results are obtained. Further chemotherapy strategies or biological agent must be investigated in clinical trials.

Keywords: metastatic meningioma; chemotherapeutic agents; doxorubicin; bevacizumab; hydroxyurea

IntroductionTop

Intracranial meningiomas behave benign (WHO grade I) in about 90% of the cases, with slow growth, and without recurrences after surgical removal. Atypical (WHO grade II) and anaplastic (WHO grade III) meningiomas are more aggressive, and show a high risk of local recurrences, as well as, more rarely, of extra cranial dissemination [1, 2, 3]. Metastatic meningiomas are usually resistant to chemotherapy and target therapy. The purpose of this case report is to increase the knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic meningiomas.

Case reportTop

In November 2006, an otherwise healthy 27-year-old girl presented with headache, vague balance difficulties, right hemisensory and hemiparetic deficits. Head computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and MR angiography (MRA) (Figure 1) showed a large left frontal and parietal extra-axial mass, infiltrating the superior sagittal sinus, consistent with meningioma. Preoperative chest radiographs revealed a left posterior basal opacity. Upon chest CT, this lesion was 65 mm in maximum diameter, showed a wide pleural contact, smooth and sharp borders, and sporadic calcifications on the pleural surface (Figure 2). A diagnosis of pulmonary intralobar sequestration was made because of the identification of the venous drainage into the left inferior pulmonary vein, but underestimating the lack of the identification of an arterial supply. The patient underwent a subtotal resection of the intracranial mass through a left frontoparietal approach. Pathologic evaluation showed a meningioma with high to moderate cellularity, pattern less areas, atypical nuclear features, with prominence of nucleoli, and rare mitotic figures (less than 1/1mm²). Tumor cell proliferation index, such as evaluated by anti-ki-67 MIB1 antibody (rabbit monoclonal antibody, diluted 1: 100; NeoMarkers, Inc, Fremont, CA, USA), was about 7%; tumor cells positive to progestinic receptors, and EGFR were 50%, and 70%, respectively, p53 was negative.

Figure 1 Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and angiography of the head. (a) Unenhanced T2-weighted; (b) diffusion-weighted; (c) apparent diffusion coefficient; (d) gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted, axial MR images; (e) 2D phase contrast sagittal MR angiogram; (f) unenhanced T2-weighted and T1-weighted; (h) gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted, coronal MR images clearly shows the infiltration of the middle and posterior portion of the superior sagittal sinus. The lesion shows some degree of inhomogeneous signal intensity, and homogeneous gadolinium-enhancement.

Figure 2 (a) axial CT image after iv contrast material administration showed an ipervascular mass with wide pleural contact; (b) presenting focal calcifications on the pleural surface on the unenhanced CT scan (arrow); (c) Sagittal-oblique reformatted, demonstrated the venous drainage of the mass into the left inferior pulmonary vein (white arrow), suggesting the possible diagnosis of intralobar pulmonary sequestration; (d) A sagittal reformat of the CT examination performed three years later, showed a significant increase in size of the lesion with calcifications (white arrow) and the appearance of a new lesion, located beneath the first, displacing the diaphragm (arrow head).

A diagnosis of grade II meningioma, according to WHO 2007 grading system, was rendered (Figure 3). Considering the very young age of patient, the absence of symptoms and the unfavourable risk/benefit ratio, the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) of the residual lesion wasn’t performed. The intracranial mass remained stable for three years. In December 2009, brain MRI and MRA showed a subtle degree of growth of the residual disease. In the same period, the patient referred abdominal pain associated to short breathing. A chest CT showed a dramatic increase in volume of the left lung lower lobe lesion (maximum diameter 72 mm), showing calcifications and necrotic areas, associated with ipsilateral pleural effusion with total atelectasis of the ipsilateral lower lobe lung.

Figure 3 (a) Necrosis; (b) as well as patternless areas with nuclear atypia, scattered, anaplastic nuclei; (c) white arrows and mitoses (black arrow) were observable in primary meningioma; (d) A metastatic meningioma deposit to the lung (the asterisk indicates lung alveoli).

Another lesion (maximum diameter 125 mm) with similar features was evident caudally, between the lesion and the dorsal vertebral column, in the left costophrenic sinus, apparently arising in the parietal pleura, shifting the diaphragm forward and down (Figure 2). A transthoracic biopsy was performed, and histology demonstrated meningioma metastasis. In January 2010, both the pleuropulmonary masses were surgically removed (Figure 2). When compared to the primary lesion, metastatic deposits showed huge areas with a higher degree of malignancy, showing severe nuclear atypia, a higher number of mitoses (12/1 mm² vs 1/1 mm²), a higher proliferation index (Ki-67 labeling index: about 20% vs 7%). Additionally an immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a lack of expression of c-Erb-B2, CD117 (c-kit) and estrogen receptors, while EGFR was expressed. Chest CT images obtained at diagnosis were revised, and the possibility of lung metastases already at the diagnosis was considered. The issue of the radiological and CT differential diagnosis of the thoracic mass is beyond the scope of this paper, and will be addressed elsewhere. The patient began a close follow-up until September 2010 when a chest and abdomen CT revealed the presence of multiple pleural lesions in left hemithorax (maximum diameter, 38 mm) and a large lesion near diaphragmatic hiatus and left diaphragmatic pilar with some pathological diaphragmatic thickenings in left costal-phrenic margin (maximum diameter, 36 mm). A millimetric parenchymal lung lesion of the left lower lobe was evident too. Excluding any local treatment for the systemic dissemination of the tumour, in August 2010, she began treatment with Doxil (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin) 50 mg/m2 and bevacizumab 75 mg/m2 every 21 days [4, 5]. After three cycles of this regimen, a total body CT showed a dimensional increase of pleural and periesophageal lesion (maximum diameter of the last one, 75 mm), with some border line para-aortic lymph nodes. From October 2010 treatment with hydroxyurea 20 mg/m²/die was undertaken. In December 2010, after two months of this treatment a total body CT showed a volumetric growth of pleural lesions with a major central necrotic component. Therefore, considering the over expression of EGFR in meningioma and its involvement in the proliferation and/or differentiation of meningothelial cells [6, 7], a treatment with sorafenib (EGFR inhibitor) 400 mg/die and hydroxyurea 20 mg/m²/die was undertaken [8, 9]. The patient performed this treatment for 4 months with no severe toxicity. Then, a total body CT after 4 months of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor and hydroxyurea showed a new further dimensional increase of pleural and meningeal lesions, a modest increase of para-aortic lymph nodes with appearance of ascites. Considering the severe clinical conditions of the patient, we opted for best supportive care. After 2 months the patient died for respiratory insufficiency.

DiscussionTop

Meningiomas represent approximately 13-26% of all intracranial tumours [10]. The most common locations are along the sagittal sinus, and over the cerebral convexity such as in the case reported herein [11]. The WHO grade I meningiomas have usually a benign behaviour. The atypical (WHO grade II) and anaplastic (WHO grade III) meningiomas are more aggressive, with a greater proliferative capacity [12]. The local recurrence rates of meningiomas, even after complete resection varies from 9 to 32% [13]. Metastatic spread outside the skull is rare, and correlates with the histological grade. Exceptionally reported in grade I, it raises to 5% in grade II, and to 30% in grade III [14].

Meningioma preferentially disseminate through the cerebrospinal or lymphatic route [15, 17]. Metastatic spread to the lung and pleura (the most frequent sites) [17, 18], and to other extracranial organs is thought to occur through the blood route, following invasion of dural venous sinuses, as probably occurred in our case, and cranial veins [3, 12, 19]. Some authors have also considered surgery as a risk factor for extracranial spreading [20].

Radical surgery is the treatment choice, after taking into account its usually slow growth, lack of aggressiveness, and the benefit-risk ratio for the patient [21]. A radical resection is not always possible, in particular for tumours in tight contact with vital structures or with high infiltration of venous sinus and cranial base such as in the patient reported herein.

Radiotherapy is usually not performed in grade I meningiomas, being recommended only after partial resection, to prevent local recurrences, or in unresectable forms [23, 23, 24] also considering the variety of adverse effects, including radiation necrosis, which may occur after SNC irradiation [25, 26]. Postoperative radiotherapy was found to improve the progression free survival in grade II [27] (poorly defined) and III meningiomas [28, 29, 30]. Stereotactic radiation, with a high-dose radiation to a target volume, is an alternative way to reduce adverse effects of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was not performed in our case, considering the very young age of patient, with an unfavourable risk/benefit ratio [31]. Furthermore, indication for radiation therapy in meningiomas involving large vessels is still debated, since there are not long term follow up [32].

Chemotherapy is usually applied to inoperable lesions, especially in the setting of tumor progression or recurrence, with modest results. Among the traditional cytotoxic drugs, hydroxyurea is the most experienced. It is an oral antimetabolite commonly used in the treatment of haematologic malignancies whose mechanism of action is to inhibit ribonucleotide reductase and causes apoptosis in phase S of the cell cycle [33]. Preliminary results of clinical studies suggest that hydroxyurea has modest activity against recurrent and inoperable meningiomas, and can induce long term stabilization in some patients, with an acceptable safety [34, 35, 36, 37].

Doxil is a formulation of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin with a prolonged circulation time and selective accumulation in ipervascularized tissue as solid tumors. It appears to have citostatic and radiosensitizing effect in brain tumor [38, 39]. Travitzky et al. reported a single case of a 60 year old woman with massive pleuropulmonary metastases from recurrent cranial meningioma treated with Doxil (50-37.5 mg/m²) for 18 months with regression of pleuropulmonary metastases and disappearance of pleural fluid [4]. In the patient reported herein, treatment with those chemotherapeutic agents has provided no benefit.

Somatostatin is a neuropeptide produced in hypothalamus that regulates the endocrine end exocrine secretions as well as the gastrointestinal mobility. Somatostatin and its synthetic analogs, binding their receptors, can have e antitumor effect by stimulation of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis and suppression of tumor-stimulating growth factors [40]. Somatostatin receptors, in particular sst2A subtype, are overexpressed in most menigiomas and their inhibition can suppress the meningioma cell growth [41]. A prospective pilot trial of sustained-release somatostatin (Sandostatin LAR) in 16 patients with recurrent meningiomas was conducted obtaining a partial response in thirty one percent of patients with acceptable toxicity [42, 43]. A recent phase II trial testing a new somatostatin analogue with a wide receptor spectrum has recently opened [44].

Recent publications report an intense search for new molecular markers that may serve as potential therapeutic target. VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is an important regulator of angiogenesis and has been implicated in pathologic angiogenesis associated with tumor growth [45]. Meningiomas are extremely vascular tumor and VEGF may have a critical role in this characteristic [46, 47]. Bevacizumab is humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits VEGF and it has been the first antiangiogenic therapy to be approved in solid tumor. Many trials have showed its efficacy and good safety as single agent or with chemotherapy for patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Additionally, it can induce radiation sensitivity in solid cancers inhibiting the angiogenesis [48]. In the literature there are few case report on the treatment of meningiomas with Bevacizumab but the treatment of recurrent or metastatic meningioma with VEGF inhibitor with other chemotherapeutic agents may be very effective. EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase HER family that is crucial for the regulation of cell division and tumor growth. It’s over expression is associated with a poor prognosis in various epithelial tumor. In 1987 Weisman et al, demonstrated that EGFR is involved in the proliferation and differentiation of meningothelial cells [6].

In 2010, Wernicke et al. reported an inverse correlation between EGFR expression and tumor grade in human meningioma [7]. EGFR activation increase resistance to apoptosis, promotes angiogenesis and impairs immune surveillance. A recent small phase II trial has examined the efficacy of gefitinib and erlotinib, EGFR inhibitors, in 25 patients with recurrent meningiomas [9]. The treatment was well tolerated, but the two molecules did not show significant benefit. Although other EGFR inhibitors exist, very few trials have examined their therapeutic potential for treating meningiomas. Therefore, we opted for a multi-target and EGFR inhibitor as sorafenib that may decrease the growth-stimulatory mechanism in this kind of tumor. However, in the patient reported herein neither bevacizumab nor sorafenib showed significant activity.

An attractive alternative therapeutic approach is the inhibition of platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGF) pathway. Because of the high expression of PDGF ligand AA and BB and the PDGF beta receptor in human meningioma cells [49–54]. Imatinib mesylate (inhibitor of PDGF receptor alfa e beta, c-Kit tyrosine kinases and Bcl-Abl) has been investigated as a possible therapeutic option for recurrent meningiomas in some phase II trials with modest results [55–57].

ConclusionTop

Histological features of atypia or malignancy, as well as large vessel invasion may be associated with an unfavourable course in meningioma, and the occurrence of extra-cranial spread, although infrequent, must always be considered. Currently, the traditional chemotherapeutic agents have provided minimal benefit in meningiomas recurring after surgery. In spite of the negative results of the alternative treatments reported in this case, we believe that new strategies are required in metastatic meningioma.

There are very few open trials testing target therapies in this pathology probably because the molecular pathways driving meningioma progression are still mostly unknown. Only a better elucidation of these pathways can help us to modify treatment paradigms in this uncommon tumor.

Conflict of interest
The authors wish to express that they have no conflict of interest.