Diffusely infiltrative glioma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Most glioma patients experience at least one seizure during the course of their disease, and over 30% suffer from repeated seizures, known as tumor-associated epilepsy (TAE). Current front-line treatment for TAE is levetiracetam (LEV) (a.k.a. Keppra), but this fails to control seizures in over 50% of patients. Such patients then require more powerful second-line antiepileptic drugs that often have greater side effects. TAE is more common in World Health Organization (WHO) grade II-III gliomas than in grade IV glioblastomas, but the reason for this is not clear. The vast majority of grade II-III gliomas contain mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenases 1 and 2 (collectively ?IDHmut?), which lead to the production and release of large amounts of D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D2HG). D2HG bears a great deal of structural similarity to glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter that binds to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) on neurons. Our data show that D2HG increases in vitro neuronal membrane depolarization and neuronal network activity, and that this can be completely blocked by an NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist. We also found that IDHmut glioma increases seizure activity in engrafted mice compared to IDHwt glioma, and that this is greatly reduced by treatment with IDHmut enzyme inhibitor. Finally, we found that IDHmut gliomas are much more likely to cause seizures compared to IDHwt gliomas. This is the first direct evidence of a mechanistic link between IDHmut and seizures; therefore, our hypothesis is that D2HG contributes to an increased incidence of seizures in patients with IDHmut gliomas, and that new targeted therapeutic strategies can decrease seizures in these patients.
In Aim 1, we will explore the mechanisms by which D2HG triggers neuronal depolarization and increased neuronal network activity. Our two main hypotheses are: (i) D2HG directly stimulates NMDA receptors; (ii) D2HG inhibits glutamate reuptake transporters that normally prevent the pathologic accumulation of glutamate in the synaptic cleft. We will use patch clamping and multi-electrode arrays to study the effects of D2HG on the electrical activity of cultured mouse cortical neurons, as well as on mouse brain slices.
In Aim 2, we will explore the effects of IDHmut glioma on the surrounding nonneoplastic tissue in vivo, focusing on changes that are characteristic of epilepsy, including neuronal loss, NMDAR downregulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, hippocampal damage, and altered mouse behavior. Results will be validated in patient-derived IDHwt and IDHmut gliomas.
In Aim 3, we will compare the anti-seizure effects of two next- generation IDHmut inhibitors, AG-120 and AG-881, as well as memantine, an NMDAR antagonist that is already used to treat Alzheimer?s Disease. Each of these drugs will be tested as monotherapy and in combination with LEV. Successful completion of these Aims will establish the D2HG product of IDHmut as an epileptogenic agent, will shed more light on how IDHmut alters the nonneoplastic neural tissues surrounding glioma, and will foster clinical trials to determine the efficacy of IDHmut inhibitors, and memantine, against seizures in these patients.
Patients with glioma often have seizures, a neurological condition that greatly reduces quality of life. A specific genetic mutation in the glioma cells, involving isocitrate dehydrogenase 1, predisposes patients to seizures. The work proposed here is aimed at understanding why this tumor mutation causes seizures, and how to better control these seizures in glioma patients.
