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In the 2016, WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation is a main classifier for lower grade astrocytomas and IDH‐mutated astrocytomas is now regarded as a single group with longer survival. However, the molecular and clinical heterogeneity among IDH mutant lower grade (WHO Grades II/III) astrocytomas have only rarely been investigated. In this study, we recruited 160 IDH mutant lower grade (WHO Grades II/III) astrocytomas, and examined PDGFRA amplification, CDKN2A deletion and CDK4 amplification by FISH analysis, TERT promoter mutation by Sanger sequencing and ATRX loss and p53 expression by immunohistochemistry. We identified PDGFRA amplification, CDKN2A homozygous deletion and CDK4 amplification in 18.8%, 15.0% and 18.1% of our cohort respectively, and these alterations occurred in a mutually exclusive fashion. PDGFRA amplification was associated with shorter PFS (P = 0.0003) and OS (P < 0.0001). In tumors without PDGFRA amplification, CDKN2A homozygous deletion or CDK4 amplification was associated with a shorter OS (P = 0.035). Tumors were divided into three risk groups based on the presence of molecular alterations: high risk (PDGFRA amplification), intermediate risk (CDKN2A deletion or CDK4 amplification) and low risk (neither CDKN2A deletion and CDK4 amplification nor PDGFRA amplification). These three risk groups were significantly different in overall survival with mean survivals of 40.5, 62.9 and 71.5 months. The high‐risk group also demonstrated a shorter PFS compared to intermediate‐ (P = 0.036) and low‐risk (P < 0.0001) groups. One limitation of this study is the relatively short follow‐up period, a common confounding factor for studies on low‐grade tumors. Our data illustrate that IDH mutant lower grade astrocytomas is not a homogeneous group and should be molecularly stratified for risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGGs) consist of a number of entities with overlapping histological features. PLGGs have much better prognosis than the adult counterparts, but a significant proportion of PLGGs suffers from tumor progression and recurrence. It has been shown that pediatric and adult low-grade gliomas are molecularly distinct. Yet the clinical significance of some of newer biomarkers discovered by genomic studies has not been fully investigated. In this study, we evaluated in a large cohort of 289 PLGGs a list of biomarkers and examined their clinical relevance. TERT promoter (TERTp), H3F3A and BRAF V600E mutations were detected by direct sequencing. ATRX nuclear loss was examined by immunohistochemistry. CDKN2A deletion, KIAA1549-BRAF fusion, and MYB amplification were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). TERTp, H3F3A, and BRAF V600E mutations were identified in 2.5, 6.4, and 7.4% of PLGGs, respectively. ATRX loss was found in 4.9% of PLGGs. CDKN2A deletion, KIAA1549-BRAF fusion and MYB amplification were detected in 8.8, 32.0 and 10.6% of PLGGs, respectively. Survival analysis revealed that TERTp mutation, H3F3A mutation, and ATRX loss were significantly associated with poor PFS (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.0002) and OS (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001). BRAF V600E was associated with shorter PFS (p = 0.011) and OS (p = 0.032) in a subset of PLGGs. KIAA1549-BRAF fusion was a good prognostic marker for longer PFS (p = 0.0017) and OS (p = 0.0029). MYB amplification was also a favorable marker for a longer PFS (p = 0.040). Importantly, we showed that these molecular biomarkers can be used to stratify PLGGs into low- (KIAA1549-BRAF fusion or MYB amplification), intermediate-I (BRAF V600E and/or CDKN2A deletion), intermediate-II (no biomarker), and high-risk (TERTp or H3F3A mutation or ATRX loss) groups with distinct PFS (p < 0.0001) and OS (p < 0.0001). This scheme should aid in clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrence and progression to higher grade lesions are characteristic behaviorsof gliomas. Though IDH1 mutation frequently occurs and is considered as an early event in gliomagenesis, little is known about its role in the recurrence and progression of gliomas. We therefore analysed IDH1 and IDH2 statusat codon 132 of IDH1 and codon 172 of IDH2 by direct sequencing and anti-IDH1-R132H immunohistochemistry in 53 paired samples and their recurrences, including 29 low- grade gliomas, 16 anaplastic gliomas and 8 Glioblastomas. IDH1/IDH2 mutation was detected in 32 primarytumors, with 25 low- grade gliomas and 6 anaplastic gliomas harboring IDH1 mutation and 1 low- grade glioma harboring IDH2 mutation. All of the paired tumors showed consistent IDH1 and IDH2 status. Patients were analyzed according to IDH1 status and tumor-related factors. Malignant progression at recurrence was noted in 22 gliomas and was not associated with IDH1 mutation. Survival analysis revealed patients with IDH1 mutated gliomas had a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In conclusion, this study demonstrated a strong tendency of IDH1/IDH2 status being consistent during progression of glioma. IDH1 mutation was not a predictive marker for malignant progression and it was a potential prognostic marker for gliomas of Chinese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the predominant elderly and the pediatric glioblastomas have been extensively investigated, young adult glioblastomas were understudied. In this study, we sought to stratify young adult glioblastomas by BRAF, H3F3A and IDH1 mutations and examine the clinical relevance of the biomarkers. In 107 glioblastomas aged from 17 to 35 years, mutually exclusive BRAF-V600E (15%), H3F3A-K27M (15.9%), H3F3A-G34R/V (2.8%) and IDH1-R132H (16.8%) mutations were identified in over half of the cases. EGFR amplification and TERTp mutation were only detected in 3.7% and 8.4% in young adult glioblastomas, respectively. BRAF-V600E identified a clinically favorable subset of glioblastomas with younger age, frequent CDKN2A homozygous deletion, and was more amendable to surgical resection. H3F3A-K27M mutated glioblastomas were tightly associated with midline locations and showed dismal prognosis. IDH1-R132H was associated with older age and favorable outcome. Interestingly, tumors with positive PDGFRA immunohistochemical expression exhibited poorer prognosis and identified an aggressive subset of tumors among K27M mutated glioblastomas. Combining BRAF, H3F3A and IDH1 mutations allowed stratification of young adult glioblastomas into four prognostic subgroups. In summary, our study demonstrates the clinical values of stratifying young adult glioblastomas with BRAF, H3F3A and IDH1 mutations, which has important implications in refining prognostic classification of glioblastomas.

IDH mutations frequently occur in WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas and have favorable prognosis compared to wild-type tumors. However, whether IDH mutations in WHO grade II and II diffuse gliomas predict enhanced sensitivity to adjuvant radiation (RT) or chemotherapy (CHT) is still being debated. Recent studies have identified recurrent mutations in the promoter region of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in gliomas. We previously demonstrated that TERT promoter mutations may be promising biomarkers in glioma survival prognostication when combined with IDH mutations. This study analyzed IDH and TERT promoter mutations in 295 WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas treated with or without adjuvant therapies to explore their impact on the sensitivity of tumors to genotoxic therapies. IDH mutations were found in 216 (73.2%) patients and TERT promoter mutations were found in 112 (38%) patients. In multivariate analysis, IDH mutations (p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS in patients receiving genotoxic therapies while TERT promoter mutations were not. In univariate analysis, IDH and TERT promoter mutations were not significant prognostic factors in patients who did not receive genotoxic therapies. Adjuvant RT and CHT were factors independently impacting PFS (RT p = 0.001, CHT p = 0.026) in IDH mutated WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas but not in IDH wild-type group. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated TERT promoter mutations further stratified IDH wild-type WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas into two subgroups with different responses to genotoxic therapies. Adjuvant RT and CHT were significant parameters influencing PFS in the IDH wt/TERT mut subgroup (RT p = 0.015, CHT p = 0.015) but not in the IDH wt/TERT wt subgroup. Our data demonstrated that IDH mutated WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas had better PFS and OS than their IDH wild-type counterparts when genotoxic therapies were administered after surgery. Importantly, we also found that TERT promoter mutations further stratify IDH wild-type WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas into two subgroups with different responses to adjuvant therapies. Taken together, TERT promoter mutations may predict enhanced sensitivity to genotoxic therapies in IDH wild-type WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas and may justify intensified treatment in this subgroup.

The promoter region of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERTp) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) have been regarded as biomarkers with distinct clinical and phenotypic features. Investigated the possible correlations between tumor location and genetic alterations would enhance our understanding of gliomagenesis and heterogeneity of glioma. We examined mutations of TERTp and IDH by direct sequencing and fluorescence in-situ hybridization in a cohort of 225 grades II and III diffuse gliomas. Correlation analysis between molecular markers and tumor locations was performed by Chi-square tests/Fisher's exact test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. We found gliomas in frontal lobe showed higher frequency of TERTp mutation (P=0.0337) and simultaneously mutations of IDH and TERTp (IDH (mut)-TERTp(mut)) (P=0.0281) than frequency of biomarkers mutation of tumors in no-Frontal lobes, while lower frequency of TERTp mutation (P<0.0001) and simultaneously wild type of IDH and TERTp (IDH (wt)-TERTp(wt)) (P<0.0001) in midline than no-midline lobes. Logistic regression analysis indicated that locations of tumors associated with TERTp mutation (OR=0.540, 95% CI 0.324-0.900, P=0.018) and status of combinations of IDH and TERTp (IDH (mut)-TERTp (mut) vs. IDH (wt)-TERTp (wt) OR=0.162, 95% CI 0.075-0.350, P<0.001). In conclusion, grades II and III gliomas harboring TERTp mutation were located preferentially in the frontal lobe and rarely in midline. Association of IDH-TERTp status and tumor location suggests their potential values in molecular classification of grades II and III gliomas.

Objective: LGGs (low-grade gliomas) are sometimes encountered by chance during radiological examinations. These incidentally discovered LGGs (IDLGGs) were relatively under-studied in the literature. The purpose of current study is to review a cohort of patients with IDLGGs surgically treated in our institution for their clinical and histological aspects and determine their IDH1 and 1p19q status., Methods: All patients with hemispheric LGGs receiving operation in our institution between 2001 and 2004 were reviewed. Clinical, radiological and treatment data of the patients were collected and IDLGGs were retrieved and compared with symptomatic LGGs. Histological review was carried out and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues of IDLGGs were examined for IDH1/IDH2 mutation and 1p/19q codeletion., Results: Twenty three IDLGGs (10.4%) were identified while 196 patients had symptomatic LGGs. The reasons for patients with IDLGGs having radiological examination included trauma (47.8%), dizziness (26.1%), unrelated headache (21.7%), and health checkup (4.4%). Clinically, patients with IDLGGs had higher preoperative KPS (P < 0.001), smaller tumor volume (P = 0.014), lower frequency of eloquent areas involvement (P < 0.001) and higher rate of complete resection (P = 0.037) comparing to those with symptomatic LGGs. Histologically, there is a preponderance of oligodendroglial differentiation with 6 oligodendrogliomas and 11 oligoastrocytomas but there were also 6 astrocytomas. IDH1 mutation and 1p/19q co-deletion were detected in 95.7% (22/23) and 69.6% (16/23) of IDLGGs, respectively. The latter encompassed all but one of the cases of oligodendroglial tumors. Patients with IDLGGs had longer overall survival than those with symptomatic LGGs (P = 0.027)., Conclusions: We conclude that the majority of IDLGGs are IDH1 mutated and are predominantly oligodendroglial tumors. With a median follow-up of 9.3 years to our series, we conclude that patients with IDLGGs had better prognosis than those with symptomatic LGGs. The favorable prognosis of IDLGGs may be accounted by the higher practicability of extensive resection, non-eloquent tumor location and smaller tumor volume. Frequent IDH1 mutation and 1p/19q co-deletion in IDLGGs may also contribute to the favorable prognosis of this subgroup of patients.