Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
12:42

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo

Published on: January 7, 2019

9.6K

Viral infections in pediatric brain tumor patients treated with targeted therapies

Lisa Mayr1, Tobias Steinmaurer1, Lukas Weseslindtner2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|October 29, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Pediatric brain tumor patients on targeted therapies face a higher risk of viral infections, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, and CNS types. Early detection and treatment are crucial for better outcomes in these immunocompromised children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

  • Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer mortality in children.
  • Limited data exists on viral infections in pediatric brain tumor patients on targeted therapies.
  • Existing research often focuses on hematologic malignancies or solid organ transplant recipients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and outcomes of viral infections in pediatric brain tumor patients receiving targeted therapies.
  • To identify specific types of viral infections and risk factors.
  • To compare infection rates with conventional chemotherapy and the general population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of pediatric patients with brain tumors treated with targeted therapies (2006-2021).
  • Data collection included demographics, infection parameters (PCR-proven), and treatment outcomes.
  • Analysis of respiratory, gastrointestinal, CNS, and other viral infections.

Main Results:

  • 36% of the 117 patients developed at least one PCR-proven viral infection.
  • Respiratory (31%) and gastrointestinal (25%) infections were most common.
  • Central nervous system (CNS) infections occurred in ~10% (varicella-zoster virus, John Cunningham virus, enterovirus); SARS-CoV-2 identified in 2 patients, one resulting in death.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric brain tumor patients on targeted therapies exhibit increased susceptibility to viral infections.
  • Bevacizumab or mTOR inhibitors may be associated with higher infection risk.
  • Prompt detection and treatment are essential to prevent severe outcomes in immunocompromised pediatric patients.
Keywords:
CNS infectionSARS-CoV-2brain tumorpediatrictargeted therapiesviral infection

More Related Videos

A Brain Tumor/Organotypic Slice Co-culture System for Studying Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Drug Therapies10:13

A Brain Tumor/Organotypic Slice Co-culture System for Studying Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Drug Therapies

Published on: November 7, 2015

11.2K
Processing of Primary Brain Tumor Tissue for Stem Cell Assays and Flow Sorting08:14

Processing of Primary Brain Tumor Tissue for Stem Cell Assays and Flow Sorting

Published on: September 25, 2012

18.3K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.9K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.4K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
639
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer01:03

Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand  RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
5.3K