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Wiestler B, Bison B, Behrens L, Tüchert S, Metz M, Griessmair M, Jakob M, Schlegel PG, Binder V, von Luettichau I, Metzler M, Johann P, Hau P, Frühwald M. Human-Level Differentiation of Medulloblastoma from Pilocytic Astrocytoma: A Real-World Multicenter Pilot Study. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1474. [PMID: 38672556 PMCID: PMC11048511 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma and pilocytic astrocytoma are the two most common pediatric brain tumors with overlapping imaging features. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated using a deep learning classifier trained on a multicenter data set to differentiate these tumor types. We developed a patch-based 3D-DenseNet classifier, utilizing automated tumor segmentation. Given the heterogeneity of imaging data (and available sequences), we used all individually available preoperative imaging sequences to make the model robust to varying input. We compared the classifier to diagnostic assessments by five readers with varying experience in pediatric brain tumors. Overall, we included 195 preoperative MRIs from children with medulloblastoma (n = 69) or pilocytic astrocytoma (n = 126) across six university hospitals. In the 64-patient test set, the DenseNet classifier achieved a high AUC of 0.986, correctly predicting 62/64 (97%) diagnoses. It misclassified one case of each tumor type. Human reader accuracy ranged from 100% (expert neuroradiologist) to 80% (resident). The classifier performed significantly better than relatively inexperienced readers (p < 0.05) and was on par with pediatric neuro-oncology experts. Our proof-of-concept study demonstrates a deep learning model based on automated tumor segmentation that can reliably preoperatively differentiate between medulloblastoma and pilocytic astrocytoma, even in heterogeneous data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Wiestler
- Department of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany (M.G.)
- TranslaTUM, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
| | - Brigitte Bison
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (B.B.); (L.B.)
- Neuroradiological Reference Center for the Pediatric Brain Tumor (HIT) Studies of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Lars Behrens
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (B.B.); (L.B.)
- Neuroradiological Reference Center for the Pediatric Brain Tumor (HIT) Studies of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Tüchert
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Marie Metz
- Department of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany (M.G.)
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
| | - Michael Griessmair
- Department of Neuroradiology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany (M.G.)
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
| | - Marcus Jakob
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Paul-Gerhardt Schlegel
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Children’s Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Vera Binder
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Irene von Luettichau
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Children’s Cancer Research Center, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany;
| | - Markus Metzler
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Pascal Johann
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Swabian Children’s Cancer Center, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (P.J.); (M.F.)
| | - Peter Hau
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- Department of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Michael Frühwald
- Study Groups on CNS Tumors Within the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF)
- KIONET, Kinderonkologisches Netzwerk Bayern
- Swabian Children’s Cancer Center, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany; (P.J.); (M.F.)
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Nemes K, Johann PD, Tüchert S, Melchior P, Vokuhl C, Siebert R, Furtwängler R, Frühwald MC. Current and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches for Extracranial Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors. Cancer Manag Res 2022; 14:479-498. [PMID: 35173482 PMCID: PMC8841298 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s289544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracranial malignant rhabdoid tumors (extracranial MRT) are rare, highly aggressive malignancies affecting mainly infants and children younger than 3 years. Common anatomic sites comprise the kidneys (RTK – rhabdoid tumor of kidney) and other soft tissues (eMRT – extracranial, extrarenal malignant rhabdoid tumor). The genetic origin of these diseases is linked to biallelic pathogenic variants in the genes SMARCB1, or rarely SMARCA4, encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex. Even if extracranial MRT seem to be quite homogeneous, recent epigenome analyses reveal a certain degree of epigenetic heterogeneity. Use of intensified therapies has modestly improved survival for extracranial MRT. Patients at standard risk profit from conventional therapies; most high-risk patients still experience a dismal course and often therapy resistance. Discoveries of clinical and molecular hallmarks and the exploration of experimental therapeutic approaches open exciting perspectives for clinical and molecularly stratified experimental treatment approaches. To ultimately improve the outcome of patients with extracranial MRTs, they need to be characterized and stratified clinically and molecularly. High-risk patients need novel therapeutic approaches including selective experimental agents in phase I/II clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Nemes
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Pascal D Johann
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Tüchert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Melchior
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Christian Vokuhl
- Section of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University & Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rhoikos Furtwängler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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Steinbügl M, Nemes K, Johann P, Kröncke T, Tüchert S, da Costa MJG, Ebinger M, Schüller U, Sehested A, Hauser P, Reinhard H, Sumerauer D, Hettmer S, Jakob M, Hasselblatt M, Siebert R, Witt O, Gerss J, Kerl K, Frühwald MC. Clinical evidence for a biological effect of epigenetically active decitabine in relapsed or progressive rhabdoid tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29267. [PMID: 34347371 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refined therapy has helped to improve survival rates in rhabdoid tumors (RT). Prognosis for patients with chemoresistant, recurrent, or progressive RT remains dismal. Although decitabine, an epigenetically active agent, has mainly been evaluated in the management of hematologic malignancies in adults, safety in children has also been demonstrated repeatedly. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective series of patients who received decitabine upon relapse or progression following therapy according to the EU-RHAB regimen is presented. Due to the retrospective nature of analyses, response was defined as measurable regression of at least one lesion on imaging. 850k methylation profiling was done whenever tumor tissue was available. RESULTS A total of 22 patients with RT of any anatomical localization were included. Most patients (19/22) presented with metastases. All received low-dose decitabine with or preceding conventional chemotherapy. Patients received a median of two (1-6) courses of decitabine; 27.3% (6/22) demonstrated a radiological response. Molecular analyses revealed increased methylation levels in tumors from responders. No excessive toxicity was observed. Clinical benefits for responders included eligibility for early phase trials or local therapy. Responders showed prolonged time to progression and overall survival. Due to small sample size, statistical correction for survivorship bias demonstrated no significant effect on survival for responders. CONCLUSIONS Patients with RT demonstrate promising signs of antitumor activity after multiagent relapse therapy including decitabine. Analyses of methylation data suggest a specific effect on an epigenetic level. We propose to consider decitabine and other epigenetic drugs as candidates for further clinical investigations in RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Steinbügl
- University Medical Center Augsburg, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Karolina Nemes
- University Medical Center Augsburg, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Pascal Johann
- University Medical Center Augsburg, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Augsburg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kröncke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Tüchert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Maria Joao Gil da Costa
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Division, University Hospital S. João Alameda Hernani Monteiro, Porto, Portugal
| | - Martin Ebinger
- Department of General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Children's University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Sehested
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Hauser
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Harald Reinhard
- Department of Pediatrics, Asklepios Kinderklinik Sankt Augustin, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - David Sumerauer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Jakob
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Reiner Siebert
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm and Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Gerss
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- University Medical Center Augsburg, Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Augsburg, Germany
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