Influence of histological subtype on survival after combined therapy of surgery and radiation in WHO grade 3 glioma

Differences in patterns of care and outcomes between grade II and grade III molecularly defined 1p19q co-deleted gliomas

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It is the largest series to report on 1618 1p19q co-deleted gliomas.

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51% of grade II get resection alone whereas 86% of grade III get adjuvant therapy.

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In a propensity score matched cohort, grade was significant for survival.

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Hazard for death for grade III 1p19q co-deleted gliomas was about 3.6 times higher.

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Oligodendroglioma histology was associated with a lower likelihood of death</span>.

Molecular markers are redefining classification of lower grade gliomas and ushering in a paradigm shift in their management. Our objective was to evaluate the differences in pattern of care and outcome by comparing grade II and grade III molecularly defined 1p19q co-deleted gliomas. We evaluated 1618 patients in the National Cancer Database diagnosed with 1p19q co-deleted gliomas from 2010 through 2014 and treated with surgery followed by radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT), or combined-modality therapy. Differences in patterns of care included that fifty-one percent of grade II tumors received surgery alone, whereas most patients with grade III tumors (86%) received surgery or biopsy followed by a form of post-operative therapy (p < 0.001). In a propensity score matched cohort, the Cox multivariable proportional hazards model with frailty testing identified significant covariates were age, comorbidity, histology and grade. Outcomes were different in overall survival even after adjusting for treatment received. The hazard for death for grade III 1p19q co-deleted gliomas was about 3.6 times higher ([HR] 3.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03–6.68, p < 0.001) than grade II 1p19q gliomas. Oligodendroglioma histology was associated with a lower likelihood of death (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.23–0.70, p < 0.001). Our study is among the largest series to report on 1p19q co-deleted gliomas, which would otherwise require decades to acquire outside of large databases.

Recurrence patterns after maximal surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy in anaplastic gliomas according to the new 2016 WHO classification

We assessed the appropriateness of current radiotherapy volume for WHO grade III gliomas. The records of 73 patients with WHO grade III gliomas who received postoperative radiotherapy between 2001 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the 2016 WHO classification, 25/73 (34.2%) patients had anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO), IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted; 11/73 (15.1%) patients had anaplastic astrocytoma, IDH-mutant; and 37/73 (50.7%) patients had anaplastic astrocytoma, IDH-wildtype. The extent of resection (EOR) was total in 43 patients (58.9%). The median follow-up time was 84 months. The 5-year overall survival was 65.4%. Of 31 patients with documented recurrences, 20 (64.5%) had infield gross tumor volume (GTV) failure, six (19.4%) had clinical target volume (CTV)/marginal failure, and five (16.1%) had outfield failure/seeding. In 13 recurrences among 43 patients who underwent gross total resection (GTR), six (46.2%) had infield CTV/marginal failure. However, among 30 patients for whom GTR was not conducted, infield GTV failure was dominant (77.8%). Seventeen patients with AO, IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted who underwent GTR experienced no recurrence. In conclusion, maximal surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy resulted in a favorable prognosis, especially in patients with GTR, IDH mutation, and 1p/19q codeletion. Patterns of failure differed by EOR.

Patterns of care and outcomes for use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy over radiotherapy alone for anaplastic gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The role of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for anaplastic gliomas is undefined and patterns of care are under-reported. To address the knowledge gap, we examined use of CRT for grade III gliomas compared to radiotherapy (RT) alone.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In an observational study design cohort from the National Cancer Database, we identified 4437 adult patients receiving surgery followed by either CRT or RT for supratentorial anaplastic glioma in 2003-2011. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with use of CRT. Overall survival (OS) was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests, Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, and propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Receipt of CRT (vs. RT) was associated with recent year of diagnosis (OR for 2011 (vs. 2003) 3.36, 95% CI 2.49-4.54) and having astrocytoma (vs. oligodendroglioma) (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.63). Patients receiving CRT had a lower adjusted hazard of death (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.65-0.79). Outcomes were worse for patients ≥60 (HR 6.94, 95% CI 6.09-7.91) and astrocytomas (HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.85-2.34).

CONCLUSION

Use of concurrent CRT is associated with more recent year of diagnosis and improved survival relative to RT alone.

Threshold of the extent of resection for WHO Grade III gliomas: retrospective volumetric analysis of 122 cases using intraoperative MRI

OBJECTIVE WHO Grade III gliomas are relatively rare and treated with multiple modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The impact of the extent of resection (EOR) on improving survival in patients with this tumor type is unclear. Moreover, because of the heterogeneous radiological appearance of Grade III gliomas, the MRI sequence that best correlates with tumor volume is unknown. In the present retrospective study, the authors evaluated the prognostic significance of EOR. METHODS Clinical and radiological data from 122 patients with newly diagnosed WHO Grade III gliomas who had undergone intraoperative MRI-guided resection at a single institution between March 2000 and December 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups by histological subtype: 81 patients had anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) or anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA), and 41 patients had anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO). EOR was calculated using pre- and postoperative T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of EOR on overall survival (OS). RESULTS The 5-, 8-, and 10-year OS rates for all patients were 74.28%, 70.59%, and 65.88%, respectively. The 5- and 8-year OS rates for patients with AA and AOA were 72.2% and 67.2%, respectively, and the 10-year OS rate was 62.0%. On the other hand, the 5- and 8-year OS rates for patients with AO were 79.0% and 79.0%; the 10-year OS rate is not yet available. The median pre- and postoperative T2-weighted high-signal intensity volumes were 56.1 cm³ (range 1.3-268 cm³) and 5.9 cm³ (range 0-180 cm³), respectively. The median EOR of T2-weighted high-signal intensity lesions (T2-EOR) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted lesions were 88.8% (range 0.3%-100%) and 100% (range 34.0%-100%), respectively. A significant survival advantage was associated with resection of 53% or more of the preoperative T2-weighted high-signal intensity volume in patients with AA and AOA, but not in patients with AO. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score (p = 0.0019), isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 ( IDH1) mutation (p = 0.0008), and T2-EOR (p = 0.0208) were significant prognostic factors for survival in patients with AA and AOA. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that T2-EOR (HR 3.28; 95% CI 1.22-8.81; p = 0.0192) and IDH1 mutation (HR 3.90; 95% CI 1.53-10.75; p = 0.0044) were predictive of survival in patients with AA and AOA. CONCLUSIONS T2-EOR was one of the most important prognostic factors for patients with AA and AOA. A significant survival advantage was associated with resection of 53% or more of the preoperative T2-weighted high-signal intensity volume in patients with AA and AOA.

Identifying the association between contrast enhancement pattern, surgical resection, and prognosis in anaplastic glioma patients

INTRODUCTION

Contrast enhancement observable on magnetic resonance (MR) images reflects the destructive features of malignant gliomas. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between radiologic patterns of tumor enhancement, extent of resection, and prognosis in patients with anaplastic gliomas (AGs).

METHODS

Clinical data from 268 patients with histologically confirmed AGs were retrospectively analyzed. Contrast enhancement patterns were classified based on preoperative T1-contrast MR images. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of MR enhancement patterns on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The pattern of tumor contrast enhancement was associated with the extent of surgical resection in AGs. A gross total resection was more likely to be achieved for AGs with focal enhancement than those with diffuse (p = 0.001) or ring-like (p = 0.024) enhancement. Additionally, patients with focal-enhanced AGs had a significantly longer PFS and OS than those with diffuse (log-rank, p = 0.025 and p = 0.031, respectively) or ring-like (log-rank, p = 0.008 and p = 0.011, respectively) enhanced AGs. Furthermore, multivariate analysis identified the pattern of tumor enhancement as a significant predictor of PFS (p = 0.016, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.485) and OS (p = 0.030, HR = 1.446).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that the contrast enhancement pattern on preoperative MR images was associated with the extent of resection and predictive of survival outcomes in AG patients.

Patterns of Tumor Contrast Enhancement Predict the Prognosis of Anaplastic Gliomas with IDH1 Mutation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It is proposed that isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation predicts the outcome in patients with high-grade glioma. In addition, contrast enhancement on preoperative MR imaging reflects tumor biologic features. Patients with anaplastic glioma with the IDH1 mutation were evaluated by using MR imaging to determine whether tumor enhancement is a prognostic factor and can be used to predict survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort of 216 patients with histologically confirmed anaplastic glioma was reviewed retrospectively. Tumor contrast-enhancement patterns were classified on the basis of preoperative T1 contrast MR images. Tumor IDH1 status was examined by using RNA sequencing. We used univariate analysis and the multivariate Cox model to evaluate the prognostic value of the IDH1 mutation and tumor contrast-enhancement pattern for progression-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

In all 216 patients, IDH1 mutation was associated with longer progression-free survival (P = .004, hazard ratio = 0.439) and overall survival (P = .002, hazard ratio = 0.406). For patients with IDH1 mutant anaplastic glioma, the absence of contrast enhancement was associated with longer progression-free survival (P = .038, hazard ratio = 0.473) and overall survival (P = .043, hazard ratio = 0.436). Furthermore, we were able to stratify the progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with IDH1 mutation by using the tumor contrast-enhancement patterns (P = .022 and 0.029, respectively; log-rank).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor enhancement on postcontrast MR imaging is a valuable prognostic factor for patients with anaplastic glioma and IDH1 mutation. Furthermore, the contrast-enhancement patterns could potentially be used to stratify the survival outcome of such patients.

KPNA2 predicts long term survival in patients with anaplastic oligoastrocytomas

The family of karyopherins comprises importins and exportins which are both involved in nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Increased levels of karyopherin a2/importin 1 (KPNA2) and chromosome region maintenance protein 1/exportin 1 (CRM1) have been associated with poorer prognosis in patients with infiltrative astrocytomas. Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 gene (IDH1) R132H mutation status was also recently identified as a prognostic factor for malignant gliomas. We evaluated KPNA2 and CRM1, as well as the IDH1 mutation status, as possible novel biomarkers for World Health Organization grade III anaplastic oligoastrocytomas (AOA). We analyzed nuclear expression of KPNA2 by immunohistochemistry in 72 primary anaplastic gliomas (29 AOA, 24 anaplastic astrocytomas, 19 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas). The IDH1 mutation status was also determined in patients with anaplastic astrocytomas and AOA, and AOA patients were additionally evaluated for CRM1 nuclear expression. Long term survivors (LTS; >8 years) with AOA showed lower KPNA2 expression levels compared to non-LTS (p=0.005). KPNA2 expression (⩾ 5% versus <5%, 1-<5%, median) was found to correlate inversely with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in our overall series as well as in the AOA group (anaplastic gliomas: OS p=0.017; PFS p=0.033; AOA: OS p=0.017, PFS p=0.040). Mutant IDH1-R132H was detected in 69% of the AOA cohort; a combination of KPNA2 low expression and mutant IDH1-R132H was only seen in LTS (p=0.050). No differences between the histological subtypes were observed in terms of KPNA2 expression and IDH1-R132H mutation status. To our knowledge this is the first time it has been shown that KPNA2 expression may have potential as a prognostic biomarker for AOA as well.

Addition of MR imaging features and genetic biomarkers strengthens glioblastoma survival prediction in TCGA patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of our study was to assess whether a model combining clinical factors, MR imaging features, and genomics would better predict overall survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) than either individual data type.

METHODS

The study was conducted leveraging The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) effort supported by the National Institutes of Health. Six neuroradiologists reviewed MRI images from The Cancer Imaging Archive (http://cancerimagingarchive.net) of 102 GBM patients using the VASARI scoring system. The patients' clinical and genetic data were obtained from the TCGA website (http://www.cancergenome.nih.gov/). Patient outcome was measured in terms of overall survival time. The association between different categories of biomarkers and survival was evaluated using Cox analysis.

RESULTS

The features that were significantly associated with survival were: (1) clinical factors: chemotherapy; (2) imaging: proportion of tumor contrast enhancement on MRI; and (3) genomics: HRAS copy number variation. The combination of these three biomarkers resulted in an incremental increase in the strength of prediction of survival, with the model that included clinical, imaging, and genetic variables having the highest predictive accuracy (area under the curve 0.679±0.068, Akaike's information criterion 566.7, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

A combination of clinical factors, imaging features, and HRAS copy number variation best predicts survival of patients with GBM.

Survival and prognostic factors of anaplastic gliomas

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of patients with anaplastic glioma tumors is relatively favorable compared with patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate survival differences between anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) patients and factors associated with survival prognosis.

METHODS

A nationwide cohort of grade III glioma patients diagnosed between 1990 and 2008 was studied using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models evaluated the role of patient and clinical characteristics on overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 1766 patients with AA and 570 patients with AO were studied. The median overall survival was 15 and 42 months among AA and AO patients, respectively. Age increments of 10 years implicated a 50% increase in mortality hazards among AA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; P < .001) and AO (HR, 1.51; P < .001) patients. Among AA patients, radiation (HR, 0.62; P < .001), surgery (vs biopsy; HR, 0.73; P < .001), female sex (HR, 0.87; P = .02), and married status (HR, 0.87; P = .02) were associated with a reduction in the hazard of mortality. Longer survival if diagnosed in 2000 relative to 1990 was observed (HR, 0.84; P = .004) in AA patients. Although surgery did not significantly improve survival among AO patients, gross total resection increased the median survival from 40 to 61 months (P = .001) in this cohort.

CONCLUSION

First-course radiation, younger age, female sex, treatment in recent years, and surgery were associated with improved survival in AA patients. In contrast, age was the most prominent predictor of survival in AO patients. Surgery alone did not seem to benefit AO patients, and gross total resection improved survival by 21 months.

1p/19q codeletion and IDH1/2 mutation identified a subtype of anaplastic oligoastrocytomas with prognosis as favorable as anaplastic oligodendrogliomas

BACKGROUND

Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA), and anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) are the major histological subtypes of World Health Organization grade III gliomas. More evidence suggests that AOA is unlikely to be a distinct entity, and re-evaluation of this issue has been recommended. In this study, we divided AOA into 2 subgroups, according to molecular biomarkers, and compared the survivals between them.

METHODS

One hundred nine patients with histological diagnosis of anaplastic gliomas enrolled in the study. Molecular biomarkers evaluated included 1p/19q codeletion and IDH1/2 mutation. Kaplan-Meier plots were compared by log-rank method.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between AA and AOA with regard to the frequencies of biomarkers and survival plots. According to the status of biomarkers, AOA was classified into 2 subgroups (AOA1 and AOA2), for which Kaplan-Meier plots were significantly different (P = .001 for both progression-free survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS]). AOA1 with 1p/19q codeletion and/or IDH1/2 mutation showed similar Kaplan-Meier plots with AO (P = .169 for PFS and P = .523 for OS). AOA2 without either biomarker showed similar Kaplan-Meier plots with AA (P = .369 for PFS and P = .271 for OS). In addition, patients with AO and AOA1 had significantly longer PFS and OS than did patients with AA and AOA2 (P < .001 for both PFS and OS).

CONCLUSIONS

AOA is a heterogeneous group and can be divided into 2 subgroups with significantly different prognoses according to the status of 1p/19q and IDH1/2. This will be helpful in estimating patients' prognosis and guiding reasonable therapy for patients with anaplastic gliomas.

Molecular prognostic factors of anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors and its relationship: a single institutional review of 77 patients from China

The increased chemosensitivity of oligodendroglial tumors has been associated with loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 1p and 19q. Other clinical and molecular factors have also been identified as being prognostic and predictive for treatment outcome. Seventy-seven patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) or anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA), treated in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from 2006 through 2008, were reviewed. LOH 1p, LOH 19q, IDH1 mutation, O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, and protein expression level of MGMT, P53, EGFR, and Ki-67 were evaluated. Age at diagnosis, LOH 1p and 19q, IDH1 mutation, P53 expression level, reoperation when progression, and adjuvant chemotherapy were statistically significant factors for overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis. Further multivariate analysis showed that age at diagnosis (P = .010), LOH 1p and 19q (P = .016), IDH1 mutation (P = .011), and reoperation after progression (P = .048) were independent predictors for longer survival in these patients. Nonrandom associations were found between LOH 1p and LOH 19q, MGMT promoter methylation and LOH 1p or 19q, IDH1 mutation and LOH 1p and 19q, IDH1 mutation and MGMT promoter methylation, whereas mutual exclusion was found between MGMT promoter methylation and MGMT expression level. The present study confirmed that age at diagnosis, LOH 1p and 19q, IDH1 mutation, and reoperation after progression were independent significant prognostic factors for patients with anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors. Inter-relationship between LOH 1p, LOH 19q, IDH1 mutation, MGMT promoter methylation, and MGMT expression level were also revealed. Future clinical trials for AO and AOA should consider the molecular alterations of patients.

Photon and proton therapy planning comparison for malignant glioma based on CT, FDG-PET, DTI-MRI and fiber tracking

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare treatment plans generated using fixed beam Intensity Modulated photon Radiation Therapy (IMRT), inversely optimized arc therapy (RapidArc(R), RA) with spot-scanned Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) for high-grade glioma patients. Plans were compared with respect to target coverage and sparing of organs at risk (OARs), with special attention to the possibility of hippocampus sparing.

METHOD

Fifteen consecutive patients diagnosed with grade III and IV glioma were selected for this study. The target and OARs were delineated based on computed tomography (CT), FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) and T1-, T2-weigted, and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fiber-tracking. In this study, a 6 MV photon beam on a linear accelerator with a multileaf collimator (MLC) with 2.5 mm leaves and a spot-scanning proton therapy machine were used. Two RA fields, using both a coplanar (clinical standard) and a non-coplanar, setup was compared to the IMRT and IMPT techniques. Three and three to four non-coplanar fields where used in the spot-scanned IMPT and IMRT plans, respectively. The same set of planning dose-volume optimizer objective values were used for the four techniques. The highest planning priority was given to the brainstem (maximum 54 Gy) followed by the PTV (prescription 60 Gy); the hippocampi, eyes, inner ears, brain and chiasm were given lower priority. Doses were recorded for the plans to targets and OARs and compared to our clinical standard technique using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULT

The PTV coverage was significantly more conform for IMPT than the coplanar RA technique, while RA plans tended to be more conform than the IMRT plans, as measured by the standard deviation of the PTV dose. In the cases where the tumor was confined in one cerebral hemisphere (eight patients), the non-coplanar RA and IMPT techniques yielded borderline significantly lower doses to the contralateral hippocampus compared to the standard (22% and 97% average reduction for non-coplanar RA and IMPT, respectively). The IMPT technique allowed for the largest healthy tissue sparing of the techniques in terms of whole brain doses and to the fiber tracts. The maximum doses to the chiasm and brainstem were comparable for all techniques.

CONCLUSION

The IMPT technique produced the most conform plans. For tumors located in the one of the cerebral hemispheres, the non-coplanar RA and the IMPT techniques were able to reduce doses to the contralateral hippocampus. The IMPT technique offered the largest sparing of the brain and fiber tracts. RA techniques tended to produce more conform target doses than IMRT.