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Brain tumours, brain metastases, and neuroinflammation: Insights from neuroimaging studies.
  • Rafael Roesler,
  • Simone Dini,
  • Gustavo Isolan
Rafael Roesler
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Simone Dini
3 The Center for Advanced Neurology and Neurosurgery (CEANNE)-Brazil, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Gustavo Isolan
3 The Center for Advanced Neurology and Neurosurgery (CEANNE)-Brazil, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Abstract

Brain tumors and brain metastases induce changes in brain tissue remodelling that lead to immunosuppression and trigger an inflammatory response within the tumor microenvironment. These immune and inflammatory changes can influence invasion and metastasis. Other neuroinflammatory and necrotic lesions may occur in patients with brain cancer or brain metastases as sequelae from treatment with radiotherapy. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary malignant brain cancer in adults. Imaging methods such as positron-emission tomography (PET) and different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are highly valuable for the diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of GBM and other malignant brain tumors. However, differentiating between tumor tissue and inflamed brain tissue with imaging protocols remains a challenge. Here, we review recent advances in imaging methods that have helped to improve the specificity of primary tumor diagnosis versus evaluation of inflamed and necrotic brain lesions. We also comment on advances in differentiating metastasis from neuroinflammation processes. Recent advances include the radiosynthesis of 18F-FIMP, an L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)-specific PET probe that allows better differentiation between tumor tissue and inflammation compared to previous probes; and the combination different advanced imaging protocols with the inclusion of radiomics and machine learning algorithms.
16 Aug 2021Submitted to Clinical & Experimental Immunology
17 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
17 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
17 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned