Magnetic Resonance Imaging Derived Biomarkers of IDH Mutation Status and Overall Survival in Grade III Astrocytomas

Advances in Mass Spectrometry of Gangliosides Expressed in Brain Cancers

Gangliosides are highly abundant in the human brain where they are involved in major biological events. In brain cancers, alterations of ganglioside pattern occur, some of which being correlated with neoplastic transformation, while others with tumor proliferation. Of all techniques, mass spectrometry (MS) has proven to be one of the most effective in gangliosidomics, due to its ability to characterize heterogeneous mixtures and discover species with biomarker value. This review highlights the most significant achievements of MS in the analysis of gangliosides in human brain cancers. The first part presents the latest state of MS development in the discovery of ganglioside markers in primary brain tumors, with a particular emphasis on the ion mobility separation (IMS) MS and its contribution to the elucidation of the gangliosidome associated with aggressive tumors. The second part is focused on MS of gangliosides in brain metastases, highlighting the ability of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MS, microfluidics-MS and tandem MS to decipher and structurally characterize species involved in the metastatic process. In the end, several conclusions and perspectives are presented, among which the need for development of reliable software and a user-friendly structural database as a search platform in brain tumor diagnostics.

MRI characteristics predict BRAF V600E status in gangliogliomas and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas and provide survival prognostication

BACKGROUND

BRAF V600E mutation is a common genomic alteration in gangliogliomas (GGs) and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs) with prognostic and therapeutic implications.

PURPOSE

To investigate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features to predict BRAF V600E status in GGs and PXAs and their prognostic values.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cohort of 44 patients with histologically confirmed GGs and PXAs was reviewed retrospectively. BRAF V600E status was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Demographics and MRI characteristics of the two groups were evaluated and compared. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify MRI features that were prognostic for progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

T1/FLAIR ratio, enhancing margin, and mean relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rADCmea) value showed significant differences between the BRAF V600E-mutant and BRAF V600E-wild groups (all P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed only rADCmea value was the independent predictive factor for BRAF V600E status (P = 0.027). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed age at diagnosis (P = 0.032), WHO grade (P = 0.020), enhancing margin (P = 0.029), and rADCmea value (P = 0.005) were significant prognostic factors for PFS. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, increasing age (P = 0.040, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.002-1.079) and lower rADCmea values (P = 0.021, HR = 0.036, 95% CI = 0.002-0.602) were associated with poor PFS in GGs and PXAs.

CONCLUSION

Imaging features are potentially predictive of BRAF V600E status in GGs and PXAs. Furthermore, rADCmea value is a valuable prognostic factor for patients with GGs or PXAs.

Investigating the value of radiomics stemming from DSC quantitative biomarkers in IDH mutation prediction in gliomas

Objective

This study aims to assess the value of biomarker based radiomics to predict IDH mutation in gliomas. The patient cohort consists of 160 patients histopathologicaly proven of primary glioma (WHO grades 2-4) from 3 different centers.

Methods

To quantify the DSC perfusion signal two different mathematical modeling methods were used (Gamma fitting, leakage correction algorithms) considering the assumptions about the compartments contributing in the blood flow between the extra- and intra vascular space.

Results

The Mean slope of increase (MSI) and the K1 parameter of the bidirectional exchange model exhibited the highest performance with (ACC 74.3% AUROC 74.2%) and (ACC 75% AUROC 70.5%) respectively.

Conclusion

The proposed framework on DSC-MRI radiogenomics in gliomas has the potential of becoming a reliable diagnostic support tool exploiting the mathematical modeling of the DSC signal to characterize IDH mutation status through a more reproducible and standardized signal analysis scheme for facilitating clinical translation.

[Prognosis of overall and disease-free survival in patients with grade 3 astrocytomas (anaplastic astrocytoma, WHO 2016)]

Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) is a rare intracerebral tumor. Therefore, the number of studies devoted to risk factors of overall and disease-free survival is small. This single-center clinical study is devoted to various factors influencing prognosis of treatment in this group of patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study included 389 patients diagnosed with grade 3 astrocytoma. We analyzed dependence of overall and disease-free survival from the following factors: gender, age of onset of disease, tumor extent, surgery, neurological disorders before and after surgery (NANO grading system), Ki67 index, postoperative radio- and chemotherapy (number courses, treatment regimens).

RESULTS

Significant risk factors for overall and disease-free survival were spread and volume of tumor, postoperative neurological aggravation, Ki67 index, IDH mutation, radio- and chemotherapy. Age, frontal lobe tumor and disease manifestation variant were significant only for overall, but not for disease-free survival.

CONCLUSION

This study was based on material of one of the largest clinical series of patients with AA operated on in one center in «molecular» era. Our results are consistent with previous data. Analysis of tumor biology and risk factors for IDH-negative AA without molecular signs of glioblastoma may be perspective.

Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlates of Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutation in WHO high-Grade Astrocytomas

Purpose and background: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and O-6 methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT) methylation are surrogate biomarkers of improved survival in gliomas. This study aims at studying the ability of semantic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features to predict the IDH mutation status confirmed by the gold standard molecular tests. Methods: The MRI of 148 patients were reviewed for various imaging parameters based on the Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images (VASARI) study. Their IDH status was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Fisher’s exact or chi-square tests for univariate and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were used. Results: Parameters such as mild and patchy enhancement, minimal edema, necrosis < 25%, presence of cysts, and less rCBV (relative cerebral blood volume) correlated with IDH mutation. The median age of IDH-mutant and IDH-wild patients were 34 years (IQR: 29−43) and 52 years (IQR: 45−59), respectively. Mild to moderate enhancement was observed in 15/19 IDH-mutant patients (79%), while 99/129 IDH-wildtype (77%) had severe enhancement (p-value <0.001). The volume of edema with respect to tumor volume distinguished IDH-mutants from wild phenotypes (peritumoral edema volume < tumor volume was associated with higher IDH-mutant phenotypes; p-value < 0.025). IDH-mutant patients had a median rCBV value of 1.8 (IQR: 1.4−2.0), while for IDH-wild phenotypes, it was 2.6 (IQR: 1.9−3.5) {p-value = 0.001}. On multivariate analysis, a cut-off of 25% necrosis was able to differentiate IDH-mutant from IDH-wildtype (p-value < 0.001), and a cut-off rCBV of 2.0 could differentiate IDH-mutant from IDH-wild phenotypes (p-value < 0.007). Conclusion: Semantic imaging features could reliably predict the IDH mutation status in high-grade gliomas. Presurgical prediction of IDH mutation status could help the treating oncologist to tailor the adjuvant therapy or use novel IDH inhibitors.

Diffuse glioma, not otherwise specified: imaging-based risk stratification achieves histomolecular-level prognostication

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether imaging-based risk stratification enables prognostication in diffuse glioma, NOS (not otherwise specified).

METHODS

Data from 220 patients classified as diffuse glioma, NOS, between January 2011 and December 2020 were retrospectively included. Two neuroradiologists analyzed pre-surgical CT and MRI to assign gliomas to the three imaging-based risk types considering well-known imaging phenotypes (e.g., T2/FLAIR mismatch). According to the 2021 World Health Organization classification, the three risk types included (1) low-risk, expecting oligodendroglioma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant, and 1p/19q-codeleted; (2) intermediate-risk, expecting astrocytoma, IDH-mutant; and (3) high-risk, expecting glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated for each risk type. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis using 10-fold cross-validation with 100-fold bootstrapping was used to compare the performance of an imaging-based survival model with that of a historical molecular-based survival model published in 2015, created using The Cancer Genome Archive data.

RESULTS

Prognostication according to the three imaging-based risk types was achieved for both PFS and OS (log-rank test, p < 0.001). The imaging-based survival model showed high prognostic value, with areas under the curves (AUCs) of 0.772 and 0.650 for 1-year PFS and OS, respectively, similar to the historical molecular-based survival model (AUC = 0.74 for PFS and 0.87 for OS). The imaging-based survival model achieved high long-term performance in both 3-year PFS (AUC = 0.806) and 5-year OS (AUC = 0.812).

CONCLUSION

Imaging-based risk stratification achieved histomolecular-level prognostication in diffuse glioma, NOS, and could aid in guiding patient referral for insufficient or unsuccessful molecular diagnosis.

KEY POINTS

• Three imaging-based risk types enable distinct prognostication in diffuse glioma, NOS (not otherwise specified). • The imaging-based survival model achieved similar prognostic performance as a historical molecular-based survival model. • For long-term prognostication of 3 and 5 years, the imaging-based survival model showed high performance.

Conventional MRI-Derived Biomarkers of Adult-Type Diffuse Glioma Molecular Subtypes: A Comprehensive Review

The introduction of molecular criteria into the classification of diffuse gliomas has added interesting practical implications to glioma management. This has created a new clinical need for correlating imaging characteristics with glioma genotypes, also known as radiogenomics or imaging genomics. Although many studies have primarily focused on the use of advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for radiogenomics purposes, conventional MRI sequences remain the reference point in the study and characterization of brain tumors. A summary of the conventional imaging features of glioma molecular subtypes should be useful as a tool for daily diagnostic brain tumor management. Hence, this article aims to summarize the conventional MRI features of glioma molecular subtypes in light of the recent literature.

Noninvasive Determination of the IDH Status of Gliomas Using MRI and MRI-Based Radiomics: Impact on Diagnosis and Prognosis

Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults. The fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, published in 2021, provided molecular and practical approaches to CNS tumor taxonomy. Currently, molecular features are essential for differentiating the histological subtypes of gliomas, and recent studies have emphasized the importance of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in stratifying biologically distinct subgroups of gliomas. IDH plays a significant role in gliomagenesis, and the association of IDH status with prognosis is very clear. Recently, there has been much progress in conventional MR imaging (cMRI), advanced MR imaging (aMRI), and radiomics, which are widely used in the study of gliomas. These advances have resulted in an improved correlation between MR signs and IDH mutation status, which will complement the prediction of the IDH phenotype. Although imaging cannot currently substitute for genetic tests, imaging findings have shown promising signs of diagnosing glioma subtypes and evaluating the efficacy and prognosis of individualized molecular targeted therapy. This review focuses on the correlation between MRI and MRI-based radiomics and IDH gene-phenotype prediction, discussing the value and application of these techniques in the diagnosis and evaluation of the prognosis of gliomas.

Multiparametric MR radiomics in brain glioma: models comparation to predict biomarker status

Background

Genotype status of glioma have important significance to clinical treatment and prognosis. At present, there are few studies on the prediction of multiple genotype status in glioma by method of multi-sequence radiomics. The purpose of the study is to compare the performance of clinical features (age, sex, WHO grade, MRI morphological features etc.), radiomics features from multi MR sequence (T2WI, T1WI, DWI, ADC, CE-MRI (contrast enhancement)), and a combined multiple features model in predicting biomarker status (IDH, MGMT, TERT, 1p/19q of glioma.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, 81 glioma patients confirmed by histology were enrolled in this study. Five MRI sequences were used for radiomic feature extraction. Finally, 107 features were extracted from each sequence on Pyradiomics software, separately. These included 18 first-order metrics, such as the mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis etc., 14 shape features and second-order metrics including 24 grey level run length matrix (GLCM), 16 grey level run length matrix (GLRLM), 16 grey level size zone matrix (GLSZM), 5 neighboring gray tone difference matrix (NGTDM), and 14 grey level dependence matrix (GLDM). Then, Univariate analysis and LASSO (Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model were used to data dimension reduction, feature selection, and radiomics signature building. Significant features (p < 0.05 by multivariate logistic regression were retained to establish clinical model, T1WI model, T2WI model, T1 + C (T1WI contrast enhancement model, DWI model and ADC model, multi sequence model. Clinical features were combined with multi sequence model to establish a combined model. The predictive performance was validated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

The combined model showed the better performance in some groups of genotype status among some models (IDH AUC = 0.93, MGMT AUC = 0.88, TERT AUC = 0.76). Multi sequence model performed better than single sequence model in IDH, MGMT, TERT. There was no significant difference among the models in predicting 1p/19q status. Decision curve analysis showed combined model has higher clinical benefit than multi sequence model.

Conclusion

Multi sequence model is an effective method to identify the genotype status of cerebral glioma. Combined with clinical models can better distinguish genotype status of glioma.

Key Points

The combined model showed the higher performance compare with other models in predicting genotype status of IDH, MGMT, TERT.

Multi sequence model showed a better predictive model than that of a single sequence model.

Compared with other models, the combined model and multi sequence model show no advantage in prediction of 1p/19q status.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12880-022-00865-8.

Reverse Engineering Glioma Radiomics to Conventional Neuroimaging

A novel radiological research field pursuing comprehensive quantitative image, namely “Radiomics,” gained traction along with the advancement of computational technology and artificial intelligence. This novel concept for analyzing medical images brought extensive interest to the neuro-oncology and neuroradiology research community to build a diagnostic workflow to detect clinically relevant genetic alteration of gliomas noninvasively. Although quite a few promising results were published regarding MRI-based diagnosis of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation in gliomas, it has become clear that an ample amount of effort is still needed to render this technology clinically applicable. At the same time, many significant insights were discovered through this research project, some of which could be “reverse engineered” to improve conventional non-radiomic MR image acquisition. In this review article, the authors aim to discuss the recent advancements and encountering issues of radiomics, how we can apply the knowledge provided by radiomics to standard clinical images, and further expected technological advances in the realm of radiomics and glioma.