*July 2020*
Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a devastating, late-stage complication of various solid tumors and is characterized by the diffuse dissemination of malignant tumor cells into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and leptomeninges. Metastasis to this fluid-filled space can quickly spread to the entire central nervous system, leading to progressive neurological dysfunction and death.LM occurs in 3–5% of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its incidence has increased, which may be due to improved outcomes brought about by new molecular therapies. However, the present treatment options, including intra-CSF chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and molecularly targeted therapies, are not effective. Thus, patients with LM from NSCLC have a poor prognosis,
Blocking the NF-κB signaling pathway by IKKβ knockdown in Lewis Lung Cancer (LLC) cells inhibited tumor growth in the leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) mouse model. IKKβ supports leptomeningeal tumor progression by promoting cancer cell proliferation and migration and inhibiting cancer cell apoptosis, and these actions may be correlated to ERK signaling. Read more.