Recent advances and new discoveries in the pipeline of the treatment of primary spinal tumors and spinal metastases: a scoping review of registered clinical studies from 2000 to 2020

Neuro-Oncology, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noab214 · Published: January 1, 2022

Simple Explanation

The field of spinal oncology has seen significant progress in recent years. This study reviews completed and ongoing research to improve treatments for spinal tumors. It focuses on clinical trials registered between 2000 and 2020. The review looks at studies on both primary spinal tumors and spinal metastases. It examines various treatment approaches, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The study points out the need for more research, especially on primary spinal tumors. It emphasizes enhancing translational research to improve outcomes for patients with these conditions.

Study Duration

20 Years

Participants

174 clinical studies

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Most registered clinical studies were interventional and led by single institutions, mainly in North America and Europe.
2
Treatment strategies for spinal neoplasms were the primary focus, including stereotactic radiosurgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical techniques.
3
Clinical trials were heavily skewed toward the metastatic population as opposed to the primary tumors.

Research Summary

This scoping review highlights the key features of 174 clinical studies on spinal neoplasms registered from 2000 to 2020. Clinical trials are more focused on metastatic tumors than primary tumors, reflecting the rarity of primary tumors and challenges in conducting prospective studies. The review emphasizes the need for a focused approach to enhancing translational research in spinal neoplasms, particularly for primary tumors.

Practical Implications

Enhance Research Focus

Direct more research efforts towards primary spinal tumors due to their rarity and the challenges in studying them.

Promote Translational Research

Improve the application of research findings to clinical practice to enhance patient outcomes.

Encourage Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Foster collaboration among spine surgeons, neurologists, oncologists, and radiologists for comprehensive patient management.

Study Limitations

1
The review is based solely on information from ClinicalTrials.gov, which depends on the accuracy of registered data.
2
The review may overrepresent interventional and observational studies.
3
The ClinicalTrials.gov website contains mostly registered studies from the United States and non-Asian countries, which may limit generalizability.

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