Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40092573›Full record

ReviewAdvances in radiation oncology2025

Cas Stefaan Dejonckheere, Davide Scafa, Lukas Käsmann, Thomas Zeyen, Anna-Laura Potthoff, Niklas Schäfer, Johannes Weller, Ulrich Herrlinger, Matthias Schneider, Hartmut Vatter and 6 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Advances in radiation oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Reirradiation of recurrent brain tumors: a review by the ESTRO CNS Focus Group.Clinical and translational radiation oncology · 2027
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Cas Stefaan DejonckheereDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Davide ScafaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Lukas KäsmannDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital München, 80539 München, Germany.
Thomas ZeyenDepartment of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology and Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Anna-Laura PotthoffDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Niklas SchäferDepartment of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology and Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Johannes WellerDepartment of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology and Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Ulrich HerrlingerDepartment of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology and Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Matthias SchneiderDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Hartmut VatterDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Anca-Ligia GrosuDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Stefanie BrehmerDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
Frank Anton GiordanoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
Gustavo Renato SarriaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Eleni GkikaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Julian Philipp LayerDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) yields excellent local control in patients with a limited number of brain metastases (BMs), but radiation-induced cerebral edema and radiation necrosis (RN) in particular may cause dose-limiting late toxicity, with the same holding true after fractionated radiation therapy for glioma. In symptomatic patients, the first-line standard of care includes corticosteroids, which may, however, be counterproductive in the evolving era of immunotherapy. Boswellic acid (BA), available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement, has been suggested as a potential corticosteroid-sparing alternative because of its anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic effects. Methods and Materials: We performed a comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, identifying publications reporting on the use of BA during or after brain irradiation in humans. Using the Realist and Meta-Narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards framework, relevant data are summarized using a meta-narrative approach. Results: Six records (3 for edema reduction in large irradiated volumes and 3 for RN after SRS) were identified, encompassing 130 patients. Roughly half of patients benefited from BA (radiographically or clinically) and about one third could successfully taper dexamethasone or prevent its long-term intake. Tolerability of BA was favorable, with mild gastrointestinal discomfort being reported most frequently. Current drawbacks include unknown optimal formulation as well as timing and dosing, a considerably large number of required daily capsules, and uncertain interactions with other drugs. Conclusions: Overall, the clinical evidence on the use of BA for radiation-induced cerebral edema and RN is lacking and well-designed prospective trials are warranted to further investigate this potential low-cost corticosteroid-sparing option.

Identifiers

PMID40092573
PMCPMC11904484

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.