Tonn, Jörg‐Christian

Abstract Background DNA methylation profiling can be used to robustly predict postsurgical outcomes and response to radiotherapy (RT) for meningioma patients. To allow for seamless integration of these complementary models into clinical practice, a practical framework is needed. Methods We leveraged a cohort of nearly 2000 surgically-treated meningiomas with DNA methylation profiling and clinical outcomes data. Existing methylation-based prediction models were dichotomized to yield four risk groups: low and high recurrent risk, each with RT sensitive and resistant subgroups. Risk groups were correlated with progression-free survival in the context of existing biomarkers including extent of resection and WHO grade. Results We first demonstrated that all risk groups benefit from gross total resection. All “high-risk, RT sensitive” tumors (n = 306, 15.7%) also benefited from adjuvant RT: after GTR, median PFS increased from 4.68 (4.13-9.48) years to not reached (P = .003); after subtotal resection (STR), from 2.12 (1.59-3.02) to 4.09 (3.41-not reached) years (P = .004). “Low-risk, RT sensitive cases” (n = 1207, 61.8%) also benefited from RT after STR (median PFS 7.39 (6.66-12.8) vs. 16.53 (10.35-not reached) years, P = .03), suggesting that RT be considered in these patients. Neither “low-risk RT resistant” (n = 84, 4.3%) nor “high-risk RT resistant” (n = 356, 18.2%) cases benefited from RT, and the latter group was associated with universally poor outcomes. Conclusions We identify methylation-defined risk groups of meningioma for which additional benefit is gained from adjuvant RT, leading to a clinical decision-making framework for straightforward integration of molecular models into clinical practice.

Abstract BACKGROUND Validation of the 2016 LANO MRI scorecard for leptomeningeal metastasis failed for multiple reasons. The objective of this joint EORTC Brain Tumor Group and RANO effort was to validate the feasibility of the revised MRI scorecard for assessing response in leptomeningeal metastasis. METHODS Coded paired cerebrospinal MRI of 20 patients with leptomeningeal metastases from solid cancers at baseline and follow-up after treatment and instructions for assessment were provided via the EORTC imaging platform. The kappa coefficient (K) was used to evaluate inter-observer pairwise agreement. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS V9.4 software (Cary, NC). The sponsor of the study was the University Hospital Zurich (2018-00192). RESULTS Thirty-five raters participated, including 9 neuroradiologists, 17 neurologists, 4 radiation oncologists, 3 neurosurgeons and 2 medical oncologists. Among leptomeningeal metastases-related items at baseline, the best median concordance was noted for hydrocephalus (K=0.63), and the worst median for spinal linear enhancing disease (K=0.46). The median concordance for overall response was moderate (K=0.44). Notably, the interobserver agreement for the presence of parenchymal brain metastases at baseline was minimal (K=0.29). Significant differences were observed when considering the specialty of the raters. Only 394 of 700 ratings (56%) were fully completed. Among 394 fully completed ratings, perfect concordance was noted in 293 ratings (74%) when comparing the overall response according to the guidelines provided in the scorecard and the overall response provided by the raters. The main discordances were noted for partial response according to the rater versus stable disease according to the guidelines (n=44), followed by progression according to the raters versus stable disease according to the guidelines (n=23). CONCLUSION Electronic case report forms with "blocking solutions" are probably required to enforce completeness and quality of scoring. These results confirm the necessity of central review and the need for training of MRI assessment in clinical trials.