-
Neuro-oncology Mar 2015Ependymomas are rare CNS tumors. Previous studies describing the clinical course of ependymoma patients were restricted to small sample sizes, often with patients at a...
BACKGROUND
Ependymomas are rare CNS tumors. Previous studies describing the clinical course of ependymoma patients were restricted to small sample sizes, often with patients at a specific institution.
METHODS
Clinically annotated ependymoma tissue samples from 19 institutions were centrally reviewed. Patients were all adults aged 18 years or older at the time of diagnosis. Potential prognostic clinical factors identified on univariate analysis were included in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model with backwards selection to model progression-free survival.
RESULTS
The 282 adult ependymoma patients were equally male and female with a mean age of 43 years (range, 18-80y) at diagnosis. The majority were grade II (78%) with the tumor grade for 20 cases being reclassified on central review (half to higher grade). Tumor locations were spine (46%), infratentorial (35%), and supratentorial (19%). Tumor recurrence occurred in 26% (n = 74) of patients with a median time to progression of 14 years. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model identified supratentorial location (P < .01), grade III (anaplastic; P < .01), and subtotal resection, followed or not by radiation (P < .01), as significantly increasing risk of early progression.
CONCLUSIONS
We report findings from an ongoing, multicenter collaboration from a collection of clinically annotated adult ependymoma tumor samples demonstrating distinct predictors of progression-free survival. This unique resource provides the opportunity to better define the clinical course of ependymoma for clinical and translational studies.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain Neoplasms; Disease-Free Survival; Ependymoma; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Middle Aged; Proportional Hazards Models; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Young Adult
PubMed: 25121770
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou162 -
Neuro-oncology Jul 2023A methylation-based classification of ependymoma has recently found broad application. However, the diagnostic advantage and implications for treatment decisions remain...
BACKGROUND
A methylation-based classification of ependymoma has recently found broad application. However, the diagnostic advantage and implications for treatment decisions remain unclear. Here, we retrospectively evaluate the impact of surgery and radiotherapy on outcome after molecular reclassification of adult intracranial ependymomas.
METHODS
Tumors diagnosed as intracranial ependymomas from 170 adult patients collected from 8 diagnostic institutions were subjected to DNA methylation profiling. Molecular classes, patient characteristics, and treatment were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS).
RESULTS
The classifier indicated an ependymal tumor in 73.5%, a different tumor entity in 10.6%, and non-classifiable tumors in 15.9% of cases, respectively. The most prevalent molecular classes were posterior fossa ependymoma group B (EPN-PFB, 32.9%), posterior fossa subependymoma (PF-SE, 25.9%), and supratentorial ZFTA fusion-positive ependymoma (EPN-ZFTA, 11.2%). With a median follow-up of 60.0 months, the 5- and 10-year-PFS rates were 64.5% and 41.8% for EPN-PFB, 67.4% and 45.2% for PF-SE, and 60.3% and 60.3% for EPN-ZFTA. In EPN-PFB, but not in other molecular classes, gross total resection (GTR) (P = .009) and postoperative radiotherapy (P = .007) were significantly associated with improved PFS in multivariable analysis. Histological tumor grading (WHO 2 vs. 3) was not a predictor of the prognosis within molecularly defined ependymoma classes.
CONCLUSIONS
DNA methylation profiling improves diagnostic accuracy and risk stratification in adult intracranial ependymoma. The molecular class of PF-SE is unexpectedly prevalent among adult tumors with ependymoma histology and relapsed as frequently as EPN-PFB, despite the supposed benign nature. GTR and radiotherapy may represent key factors in determining the outcome of EPN-PFB patients.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Retrospective Studies; DNA Methylation; Prognosis; Brain Neoplasms; Ependymoma
PubMed: 36734226
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad030 -
Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences Feb 2018Ependymoma can arise throughout all compartments of the central nervous system with prevalence for intracranial and spinal location in children and adults, respectively.... (Review)
Review
Ependymoma can arise throughout all compartments of the central nervous system with prevalence for intracranial and spinal location in children and adults, respectively. The current histopathology based WHO grading system distinguishes grade I, II 'classic', and III 'anaplastic' ependymoma. However, analysis of multiple cohorts of intracranial ependymoma demonstrate a wide variance in the utility of the grade II versus grade III distinction as a prognostic marker that may additionally be confounded by the anatomic compartment. Recent (epi)genomic profiling efforts have identified molecularly distinct groups of ependymoma arising from all three anatomic compartments of the central nervous system that outperform the current histopathological classification regarding clinical associations. These advances have led to the cognition that molecular classification should be part of all future clinical trials in ependymoma patients. Clinical management of intracranial ependymomas (WHO Grade II/III) is challenging and molecular classification based risk stratification may help to intensify treatment and surveillance in high-risk patients but to de-escalate therapy in certain patient groups at low risk for recurrence. Finally, experience of neurosurgeons, and other disciplines, as well as intensified co-operation between all stakeholders involved hold promise to finally improve outcome of patients affected with ependymoma.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Child; Ependymoma; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Molecular Epidemiology; Neoplasm Grading; World Health Organization; Young Adult
PubMed: 28895660
DOI: 10.23736/S0390-5616.17.04152-2 -
Neuro-oncology Jun 2022SIOP Ependymoma I was a non-randomised trial assessing event free and overall survival (EFS/OS) of non-metastatic intracranial ependymoma in children aged 3-21 years... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
SIOP Ependymoma I was a non-randomised trial assessing event free and overall survival (EFS/OS) of non-metastatic intracranial ependymoma in children aged 3-21 years treated with a staged management strategy. A further aim was to assess the response rate (RR) of subtotally resected (STR) ependymoma to vincristine, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide (VEC). We report final results with 12-year follow-up and post hoc analyses of recently described biomarkers.
METHODS
Seventy-four participants were eligible. Children with gross total resection (GTR) received radiotherapy, whilst those with STR received VEC before radiotherapy. DNA methylation, 1q, hTERT, ReLA, Tenascin-C, H3K27me3, and pAKT status were evaluated.
RESULTS
Five- and ten-year EFS was 49.5% and 46.7%, OS was 69.3% and 60.5%. GTR was achieved in 33/74 (44.6%) and associated with improved EFS (P = .003, HR = 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-5.1). Grade 3 tumours were associated with worse OS (P = .005, HR = 2.8, 95%CI 1.3-5.8). 1q gain and hTERT expression were associated with poorer EFS (P = .003, HR = 2.70, 95%CI 1.49-6.10 and P = .014, HR = 5.8, 95%CI 1.2-28) and H3K27me3 loss with worse OS (P = .003, HR = 4.6, 95%CI 1.5-13.2). Methylation profiles showed expected patterns. 12 participants with STR did not receive chemotherapy; a protocol violation. However, best chemotherapy RR was 65.5% (19/29, 95%CI 45.7-82.1), exceeding the prespecified 45%.
CONCLUSIONS
Participants with totally resected ependymoma had the best outcomes. RR of STR to VEC exceeded the pre-specified efficacy criterion. However, cases of inaccurate stratification highlighted the need for rapid central review. 1q gain, H3K27me3 loss, and hTERT expression were all associated with poorer survival outcomes.
Topics: Child; Chromosome Aberrations; Cyclophosphamide; Ependymoma; Etoposide; Follow-Up Studies; Histones; Humans; Treatment Outcome; Vincristine
PubMed: 35018471
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac012 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2022Adult spinal ependymoma presents a rare low-grade tumor entity. Due to its incidence peak in the fourth decade of life, it mostly affects patients during a...
Adult spinal ependymoma presents a rare low-grade tumor entity. Due to its incidence peak in the fourth decade of life, it mostly affects patients during a professionally and physically active time of life. We performed a retrospective monocentric study, including all patients operated upon for spinal ependymoma between 2009 and 2020. We prospectively collected data on professional reintegration, physical activities and quality-of-life parameters using EQ-5D and SF-36. Issues encountered were assessed using existing spinal-cord-specific questionnaires and free-text questions. In total, 65 of 114 patients agreed to participate. Most patients suffered from only mild pre- and postoperative impairment on the modified McCormick scale, but 67% confirmed difficulties performing physical activities in which they previously engaged due to pain, coordination problems and fear of injuries after a median follow-up of 5.4 years. We observed a shift from full- to part-time employment and patients unable to work, independently from tumor dignity, age and neurological function. Despite its benign nature and occurrence of formal only mild neurological deficits, patients described severe difficulties returning to their preoperative physical activity and profession. Clinical scores such as the McCormick grade and muscle strength may not reflect the entire self-perceived impairment appropriately.
Topics: Adult; Ependymoma; Humans; Neurosurgical Procedures; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Return to Work; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35322104
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09036-9 -
Brain Pathology (Zurich, Switzerland) Sep 2020Advances in our understanding of the biological basis and molecular characteristics of ependymal tumors since the latest iteration of the World Health Organization (WHO)... (Review)
Review
Advances in our understanding of the biological basis and molecular characteristics of ependymal tumors since the latest iteration of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of CNS tumors (2016) have prompted the cIMPACT-NOW group to recommend a new classification. Separation of ependymal tumors by anatomic site is an important principle of the new classification and was prompted by methylome profiling data to indicate that molecular groups of ependymal tumors in the posterior fossa and supratentorial and spinal compartments are distinct. Common recurrent genetic or epigenetic alterations found in tumors belonging to the main molecular groups have been used to define tumor types at intracranial sites; C11orf95 and YAP1 fusion genes for supratentorial tumors and two types of posterior fossa ependymoma defined by methylation group, PFA and PFB. A recently described type of aggressive spinal ependymoma with MYCN amplification has also been included. Myxopapillary ependymoma and subependymoma have been retained as histopathologically defined tumor types, but the classification has dropped the distinction between classic and anaplastic ependymoma. While the cIMPACT-NOW group considered that data to inform assignment of grade to molecularly defined ependymomas are insufficiently mature, it recommends assigning WHO grade 2 to myxopapillary ependymoma and allows grade 2 or grade 3 to be assigned to ependymomas not defined by molecular status.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Ependyma; Ependymoma; Glioma; Humans; Supratentorial Neoplasms
PubMed: 32502305
DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12866 -
Neuro-oncology Jun 2022
Topics: Child; Cohort Studies; Ependymoma; Follow-Up Studies; Humans
PubMed: 35325202
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac060 -
Neuro-oncology Oct 2023Accurate identification of brain tumor molecular subgroups is increasingly important. We aimed to establish the most accurate and reproducible ependymoma subgroup...
BACKGROUND
Accurate identification of brain tumor molecular subgroups is increasingly important. We aimed to establish the most accurate and reproducible ependymoma subgroup biomarker detection techniques, across 147 cases from International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Ependymoma II trial participants, enrolled in the pan-European "Biomarkers of Ependymoma in Children and Adolescents (BIOMECA)" study.
METHODS
Across 6 European BIOMECA laboratories, we evaluated epigenetic profiling (DNA methylation array); immunohistochemistry (IHC) for nuclear p65-RELA, H3K27me3, and Tenascin-C; copy number analysis via fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and MLPA (1q, CDKN2A), and MIP and DNA methylation array (genome-wide copy number evaluation); analysis of ZFTA- and YAP1-fusions by RT-PCR and sequencing, Nanostring and break-apart FISH.
RESULTS
DNA Methylation profiling classified 65.3% (n = 96/147) of cases as EPN-PFA and 15% (n = 22/147) as ST-ZFTA fusion-positive. Immunohistochemical loss of H3K27me3 was a reproducible and accurate surrogate marker for EPN-PFA (sensitivity 99%-100% across 3 centers). IHC for p65-RELA, FISH, and RNA-based analyses effectively identified ZFTA- and YAP-fused supratentorial ependymomas. Detection of 1q gain using FISH exhibited only 57% inter-center concordance and low sensitivity and specificity while MIP, MLPA, and DNA methylation-based approaches demonstrated greater accuracy.
CONCLUSIONS
We confirm, in a prospective trial cohort, that H3K27me3 immunohistochemistry is a robust EPN-PFA biomarker. Tenascin-C should be abandoned as a PFA marker. DNA methylation and MIP arrays are effective tools for copy number analysis of 1q gain, 6q, and CDKN2A loss while FISH is inadequate. Fusion detection was successful, but rare novel fusions need more extensive technologies. Finally, we propose test sets to guide future diagnostic approaches.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Histones; Tenascin; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Prospective Studies; Biomarkers; Ependymoma
PubMed: 36916248
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad055 -
ZFTA-RELA Dictates Oncogenic Transcriptional Programs to Drive Aggressive Supratentorial Ependymoma.Cancer Discovery Sep 2021More than 60% of supratentorial ependymomas harbor a (ZR) gene fusion (formerly ). To study the biology of ZR, we developed an autochthonous mouse tumor model using...
More than 60% of supratentorial ependymomas harbor a (ZR) gene fusion (formerly ). To study the biology of ZR, we developed an autochthonous mouse tumor model using electroporation (IUE) of the embryonic mouse brain. Integrative epigenomic and transcriptomic mapping was performed on IUE-driven ZR tumors by CUT&RUN, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing, and RNA sequencing and compared with human ZR-driven ependymoma. In addition to direct canonical NFκB pathway activation, ZR dictates a neoplastic transcriptional program and binds to thousands of unique sites across the genome that are enriched with PLAGL family transcription factor (TF) motifs. ZR activates gene expression programs through recruitment of transcriptional coactivators (Brd4, Ep300, Cbp, Pol2) that are amenable to pharmacologic inhibition. Downstream ZR target genes converge on developmental programs marked by PLAGL TF proteins, and activate neoplastic programs enriched in Mapk, focal adhesion, and gene imprinting networks. SIGNIFICANCE: Ependymomas are aggressive brain tumors. Although drivers of supratentorial ependymoma (- and -associated gene fusions) have been discovered, their functions remain unclear. Our study investigates the biology of -driven ependymoma, specifically mechanisms of transcriptional deregulation and direct downstream gene networks that may be leveraged for potential therapeutic testing..
Topics: Animals; DNA-Binding Proteins; Disease Models, Animal; Ependymoma; Mice; Supratentorial Neoplasms; Transcription Factor RelA; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 33741710
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-20-1066 -
Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences Feb 2018Intramedullary ependymomas are uncommon tumors that can occur within the medullary substance of the spinal cord. Despite this difficult location, they are typically... (Review)
Review
Intramedullary ependymomas are uncommon tumors that can occur within the medullary substance of the spinal cord. Despite this difficult location, they are typically benign tumors that can most often be removed completely with an acceptable surgical risk. Therefore, the recommended management approach is usually surgical excision. This review will consider the historical context in which surgeons began treating these tumors and then review the more recent literature that guides their current management.
Topics: Ependymoma; Humans; Neurosurgical Procedures; Spinal Cord Neoplasms
PubMed: 28748910
DOI: 10.23736/S0390-5616.17.04162-5