Utility of multimodality molecular profiling for pediatric patients with central nervous system tumors.

TitleUtility of multimodality molecular profiling for pediatric patients with central nervous system tumors.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsRajappa P, Eng KW, Bareja R, Bander ED, Yuan M, Dua A, Maachani UBhanu, Snuderl M, Pan H, Zhang T, Tosi U, Ivasyk I, Souweidane MM, Elemento O, Sboner A, Greenfield JP, Pisapia DJ
JournalNeurooncol Adv
Volume4
Issue1
Paginationvdac031
Date Published2022 Jan-Dec
ISSN2632-2498
Abstract

BACKGROUND: As our molecular understanding of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors evolves, so too do diagnostic criteria, prognostic biomarkers, and clinical management decision making algorithms. Here, we explore the clinical utility of wide-breadth assays, including whole-exome sequencing (WES), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and methylation array profiling as an addition to more conventional diagnostic tools for pediatric CNS tumors.

METHODS: This study comprises an observational, prospective cohort followed at a single academic medical center over 3 years. Paired tumor and normal control specimens from 53 enrolled pediatric patients with CNS tumors underwent WES. A subset of cases also underwent RNA-seq (n = 28) and/or methylation array analysis (n = 27).

RESULTS: RNA-seq identified the driver and/or targetable fusions in 7/28 cases, including potentially targetable NTRK fusions, and uncovered possible rationalized treatment options based on outlier gene expression in 23/28 cases. Methylation profiling added diagnostic confidence (8/27 cases) or diagnostic subclassification endorsed by the WHO (10/27 cases). WES detected clinically pertinent tier 1 or tier 2 variants in 36/53 patients. Of these, 16/17 SNVs/INDELs and 10/19 copy number alterations would have been detected by current in-house conventional tests including targeted sequencing panels.

CONCLUSIONS: Over a heterogeneous set of pediatric tumors, RNA-seq and methylation profiling frequently yielded clinically relevant information orthogonal to conventional methods while WES demonstrated clinically relevant added value primarily via copy number assessment. Longitudinal cohorts comparing targeted molecular pathology workup vs broader genomic approaches including therapeutic selection based on RNA expression data will be necessary to further evaluate the clinical benefits of these modalities in practice.

DOI10.1093/noajnl/vdac031
Alternate JournalNeurooncol Adv
PubMed ID35475276
PubMed Central IDPMC9034114
Related Faculty: 
David Pisapia, M.D. Andrea Sboner, Ph.D.

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 1300 York Avenue New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6464
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