Updated trans-ethnic meta-analysis of associations between inflammation-related genes and intracranial aneurysm. Considering the catastrophic clinical course of ruptured intracranial aneurysm, it is one of the hot topics of research for identification of high-risk group which may predisposed to aneurysm formation and rupture. It is known that inflammation plays important role for formation of various stages of aneurysm. It is also known that elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α in human intracranial aneurysm, which suggests its role in inflammation mediated-promotion of aneurysm. Eun Pyo Hong et al. evaluated the association between inflammation-related loci and aneurysm susceptibility via multi-ethnic meta-analysis with increased statistical power. It was shown that rs1800796 (interleukin, IL-6) gene was closely associated with aneurysm, and in particular offers a protective effect against aneurysm formation in the East-Asian population. This upgraded meta-analysis with the largest number of studies and subjects to date gives insights to factors involved in aneurysm formation and rupture.
Effect of bevacizumab treatment in cerebral radiation necrosis: Investigation of response predictors in a single-center experience Cerebral radiation necrosis (RN), is one of the most dreaded adverse reactions associated with radiation therapies. It is caused by radiation-induced endothelial cell damage and subsequent release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which results in increased vascular permeability, angiogenesis and brain edema, inflammation. It is well known that corticosteroid, which counteract vascular endothelial damage and modulate inflammatory changes and edema, lead rapid symptomatic improvement. However, there are some patients who do not respond to corticosteroid. Considering the overexpression of VEGF in RN, preventing it reaching its capillary targets may be a logical treatment strategy. Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF, might be an effective treatment option for RN. Through a retrospective study, Shin Heon Lee et al showed that bevacizumab was fairly effective in alleviation of edema in RN. It was proposed that bevacizumab was more effective in patients without diffusion restriction in magnetic resonance image and those with non-glial tumors. This study is meaningful in that it investigated which factors affect the effect of bevacizumab, although validation through further study and elucidation of the mechanism of influential factors.
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Sincerely,
Hee-Jin Yang, M.D.
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society | 
