Papillary craniopharyngioma management in the era of BRAF and MEK inhibition

PurposePapillary craniopharyngioma is a rare entity, demonstrating BRAF-V600E mutations in approximately 95% of patients. Recently, a phase 2 trial of patients treated with surgery and BRAF/MEKi demonstrated 91% reduction in residual tumor volume. This study allowed for additional treatments at the discretion of the treatment team without reporting subsequent rates of endocrinopathy or visual decline. We aimed to evaluate the possibility of employing BRAF/MEKi without the need for adjuvant radiotherapy therapies.MethodsA retrospective report of two patients treated with resection and BRAF/MEKi without additional treatment were analyzed. Patient demographics, treatment characteristics, pre- and post-treatment radiographic volumes, adverse events, and endocrinologic and visual outcomes, were recorded and analyzed.ResultsTwo patients underwent subtotal resection followed by BRAF/MEKi without adjuvant treatment. Mean length of BRAF therapy was 21.4 months and MEKi therapy was 12.94 months. Mean preoperative nodule volume was 0.33 cm [3] and 2.29 cm [3] and cystic volume was 5.04 cm [3] and 6.18 cm [3] in case 1 and case 2, respectively. Neither patient received radiation. Grade 3 cardiotoxicity developed in case 1 after 6.5 months, with function recovering completely following discontinuation of MEKi. BRAF therapy was discontinued electively after 23.5 months. The second patient remains on dual inhibition therapy without toxicity. For these cases, post-treatment nodule volumes are 0.07 cm [3] (98.4% reduction) and 0.04 cm [3] (99.2% reduction), respectively, and cystic volume 0.0 cm [3] in both patients. Progression free survival is 100% with a mean follow up of 36-months.ConclusionsUtilizing surgery and BRAF/MEKi without adjuvant radiation, we demonstrate excellent disease control with reversible toxicity. Avoiding additional treatments may spare vital functions and unnecessary procedures.