Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Central neurocytomas (CN) are intraventricular brain tumors predominantly occurring in young adults. Although prognosis is usually favorable, tumor recurrence is common, particularly following subtotal resection (STR). Currently, the risk of progression is evaluated using atypical features and an elevated Ki67 proliferation index. However, these markers lack consistent definitions, raising the need for objective criteria. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles were examined in 136 tumors histologically classified as CN. Clinical/histopathological characteristics were assessed in 93/90 cases, and whole-exome sequencing was conducted in 12 cases. Clinical and molecular characteristics were integrated into a survival model to predict progression-free survival (PFS). A diagnosis of CN was epigenetically confirmed in 125 of 136 cases (92%). No DNA methylation subgroups were identified, but global DNA hypomethylation emerged as a hallmark feature of CN associated with higher recurrence risk. Risk stratification based on histological features of atypia and Ki67 proliferation index was not reproducible across neuropathologists. Hypomethylation at the FGFR3 locus, accompanied by increased FGFR3 protein expression, was observed in 97% of cases. Gross total resection was associated with significantly improved PFS compared to STR, while patients undergoing STR receiving radiotherapy had a better outcome (p = 0.0001). Younger patients were identified as having a higher risk of recurrence (p = 0.026). Patient age and treatment strategy were key factors associated with survival outcomes in this cohort. These findings underscore the importance of closer follow-up for younger patients and radiotherapy for STR cases. Furthermore, FGFR3 represents a hallmark feature and potential therapeutic target, warranting further investigation.
Source: Acta Neuropathologica
Authors: Maja Krech, Amos Muench, Daniel Teichmann, Peter Kuzman, Abigail K. Suwala, Franziska M. Ippen, Michael Müther, Katharina J. Weber, Katharina Wenger-Alakmeh, Julia Onken, Peter Vajkoczy, Felix Behling, Sven-Axel May, Georgios Ntoulias, Joachim K. Krauss, Oday Atallah, Majid Esmaeilzadeh, Wolf C. Mueller, Frank L. Heppner, Helena Radbruch, Carsten Dittmayer, Werner Stenzel, Arend Koch, David Capper, David Kaul, Werner Paulus, Karl H. Plate, Joachim P. Steinbach, Markus Czabanka, Rudi Beschorner, Andreas von Deimling, Michael Bockmayr, Julia E. Neumann, Sebastian Brandner, Teresa Krieger, Christian Hartmann, Christian Thomas, Leonille Schweizer
Institutions: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, University Hospital Leipzig, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg University, University Hospital Heidelberg, Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, University Hospital Münster, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt Cancer Institute, University of Tübingen, Klinikum Chemnitz, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, HMU Health and Medical University, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Kinderkrebs-Zentrum Hamburg, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,990
OpenAlex ID: W4411212302