title: New considerations in radiation treatment planning for brain tumors: neural progenitor cell-containing niches.
abstract: The purpose of this critical review is to explore the controversy regarding the relationship between radiation dose to the neural progenitor cell (NPC) niches and patient outcomes, in terms of both toxicity and tumor control. NPCs in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and hippocampus are paradoxically associated with long-term neurocognitive sequelae of brain irradiation, as well as resistance to therapy and tumor recurrence. The reconciliation of these somewhat opposing functions is challenging. Current literature suggests that radiation and other treatments against the NPC in the hippocampus and the SVZ may influence patient outcome. As a result, both the SVZ and the hippocampus could have important implications on radiation treatment planning strategies, and future laboratory and clinical evaluations will be critical in designing studies to optimize treatment outcome, effectiveness, and safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kut
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address: kjanson3@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Janson Redmond
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D055153:Stem Cell Niche / Q000528:radiation effects*