Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumors, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. Oncolytic treatments, particularly oncolytic viruses (OVs), have emerged as promising candidates by selectively infecting and lysing tumor cells while stimulating anti-tumor immunity. Various virus-based therapies are under investigation, including genetically engineered herpes simplex virus (HSV), adenovirus, poliovirus, reovirus, vaccinia virus, measles virus, and Newcastle disease virus, each exploiting unique tumor-selective mechanisms. While some, such as HSV-based therapies including G207 and Delytact^TM, have demonstrated clinical progress, significant challenges persist, including immune evasion, heterogeneity in patient response, and delivery barriers due to the blood–brain barrier. Moreover, combination strategies integrating OVs with immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, and radiation are promising but require further clinical validation. Non-viral oncolytic approaches, such as tumor-targeting bacteria and synthetic peptides, remain underexplored. This review highlights current advancements while addressing critical gaps in the literature, including the need for optimized delivery methods, better biomarker-based patient stratification, and a deeper understanding of GBM’s immunosuppressive microenvironment. Future research should focus on enhancing OV specificity, engineering viruses to deliver therapeutic genes, and integrating OVs with precision medicine strategies. By identifying these gaps, this review provides a framework for advancing oncolytic therapies in GBM treatment.

Background/aim: Bladder cancer is among the most common malignancies, often treated with radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive cases. However, RC is associated with high postoperative complication rates. Preoperative and postoperative exercise programs have been proposed to enhance recovery and quality of life (QoL) in bladder cancer patients. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of exercise interventions on QoL in patients undergoing cystectomy. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024623205). A comprehensive search across Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases identified studies on exercise interventions in cystectomy patients. Eligibility criteria included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case reports involving bladder cancer patients undergoing pre- or postoperative exercise. Data were analyzed using R version 4.3.1, applying random-effects models to calculate mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using τ ², I ², and Q-tests. Results: Ten studies (n = 564) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed that preoperative exercise significantly improved postoperative QoL scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44–0.80; p < 0.001; I ² = 22%). Postoperative exercise also enhanced cardiorespiratory function and reduced postoperative complications (SMD = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.32–0.64; p < 0.001; I ² = 18%). Combined pre- and postoperative exercise yielded the highest QoL improvements. Conclusion: Exercise programs significantly enhance QoL in bladder cancer patients undergoing cystectomy by reducing complications and improving physical and emotional resilience. However, high heterogeneity, inconsistent outcome measures, and limited statistically significant effects in some domains highlight the need for standardized protocols and further high-quality research.

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNLs) are malignant non-Hodgkin lymphomas solely affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Primary dural lymphoma, which is rare in the CNS, has not been previously reported in a study of the olfactory groove. We present the clinical course of a 77-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with nonspecific symptoms of fatigue and transient memory loss. Although the patient's neurological examination was unremarkable, cranial imaging identified a lesion highly suspicious for an olfactory groove meningioma. Consequently, the patient underwent a bifrontal craniotomy; however, intraoperative exploration proved incongruent with imaging as no distinct mass was identified. While the immediate postoperative recovery was uneventful, the patient experienced significant clinical deterioration 1 month later, necessitating admission to the intensive care unit. Subsequent histopathological analysis of the biopsy specimen provided the definitive diagnosis of primary dural-based diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and comprehensive staging with FDG-PET and contrast-enhanced CT confirmed the disease was confined strictly to the CNS. This case underscores the importance of considering primary dural lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of anterior skull base lesions even when imaging mimics meningioma, and highlights the essential role of histological confirmation in navigating such diagnostic complexities.

Background: Craniopharyngiomas are histologically benign but clinically aggressive epithelial tumors that pose significant surgical challenges due to their proximity to the hypothalamic–pituitary axis. While traditional transcranial approaches are well-established, the endoscopic endonasal transplanum–transtuberculum approach (EETTA) has emerged as a specialized corridor offering direct midline access. This systematic review evaluates the surgical efficacy, functional outcomes, and complication profiles of the EETTA over two decades of clinical evolution. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across five databases. Eligible studies included patients of all ages undergoing EETTA for craniopharyngioma. Data on the extent of resection (EOR), visual and endocrine outcomes, and CSF leak rates were extracted. Quality was assessed using NIH/JBI tools, and evidence was graded via AANS/CNS criteria. Results: Fifty-one studies (677 patients) were included. The cohort had a mean age of 43.4 years and predominantly suprasellar tumors (mean diameter 2.9–4.0 cm). Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 66.4% of cases (364/548). Postoperative visual improvement was reported in 79.8% of patients, while 7.1% experienced deterioration. Endocrine morbidity remained significant, with 120 patients developing new-onset diabetes insipidus and 105 developing new anterior pituitary deficits. The pooled CSF leak rate was 9.2%, with contemporary series frequently reporting 0% due to advanced multilayer reconstruction with nasoseptal flaps. The pooled recurrence rate was 7.8% over a mean follow-up of 37.4 months. Conclusions: The EETTA is a safe and effective primary strategy for suprasellar and retrochiasmatic craniopharyngiomas, offering more favorable visual outcomes and resection rates in this specific cohort. While endocrine dysfunction remains a pervasive challenge inherent to the tumor’s location, technical refinements in skull base reconstruction have successfully addressed historical concerns regarding CSF leaks. These findings support the use of the EETTA at high-volume centers with multidisciplinary expertise.