Laser Therapy Shows Promise for Brain Tumors

TOPLINELaser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) demonstrates low complication rates in a study of nearly 800 patients with brain tumors. Achieving a higher percentage of ablation in newly diagnosed glioblastoma was associated with better outcomes related to survival.METHODOLOGYDeep-seated lesions including basal ganglia, thalamus, insula, and corpus callosum typically present with high surgical risk with open approaches, and survival outcomes are reduced when no cytoreduction is offered. Magnetic resonance imaging-guided LITT is a minimally invasive neurosurgical approach for ablating or cytoreducing intracranial tumors using hyperthermia.A total of 787 patients with primary (445) or metastatic (342) brain tumors treated with LITT using the Monteris NeuroBlate System were enrolled from 25 US centers between 2015 and 2023 in the LAANTERN prospective multicenter registry. Researchers prospectively collected demographics, intraprocedural data, adverse events, survival data, and functional status over time, with follow-up extending up to 5 years post-LITT. Extent of ablation (EOA) was determined by neurosurgeons based on postprocedural imaging and thermal-dose threshold coverage, categorized as 15-20 cc, or unmeasured confounders rather than lack of treatment benefit.DISCLOSURESThe LAANTERN registry was sponsored by Monteris Medical Corp. Leuthardt disclosed receiving consulting fees from Monteris Medical and holding stock and ownership interests in Kandu, Cordance Medical, Aurenar, Silent Surgical, and Sora Neuroscience. Veronica Chiang, MD, disclosed receiving consulting fees from Monteris Medical and MRI Interventions. Multiple other authors disclosed various relationships with Monteris Medical and other organizations. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.