Project description:Combined EPIC and 450k analysis across 212 posterior fossa ependymoma's classified as PFB using the Heidelberg Brain Tumour Classifier Methylation profiling across 212 posterior fossa PFB ependymoma's to discern molecular heterogeneity
Project description:Posterior fossa ependymoma comprise three distinct molecular variants, termed PF-EPN-A (PFA), PF-EPN-B (PFB), and PF-EPN-SE (subependymoma). Clinically, they are very disparate and PFB tumors are currently being considered for a trial of radiation avoidance. However, to move forward, unraveling the heterogeneity within PFB would be highly desirable. To discern the molecular heterogeneity within PFB, we performed an integrated analysis consisting of DNA methylation profiling, copy-number profiling, gene expression profiling, and clinical correlation across a cohort of 212 primary posterior fossa PFB tumors. Unsupervised spectral clustering and t-SNE analysis of genome-wide methylation data revealed five distinct subtypes of PFB tumors, termed PFB1-5, with distinct demographics, copy-number alterations, and gene expression profiles. All PFB subtypes were distinct from PFA and posterior fossa subependymomas. Of the five subtypes, PFB4 and PFB5 are more discrete, consisting of younger and older patients, respectively, with a strong female-gender enrichment in PFB5 (age: p = 0.011, gender: p = 0.04). Broad copy-number aberrations were common; however, many events such as chromosome 2 loss, 5 gain, and 17 loss were enriched in specific subtypes and 1q gain was enriched in PFB1. Late relapses were common across all five subtypes, but deaths were uncommon and present in only two subtypes (PFB1 and PFB3). Unlike the case in PFA ependymoma, 1q gain was not a robust marker of poor progression-free survival; however, chromosome 13q loss may represent a novel marker for risk stratification across the spectrum of PFB subtypes. Similar to PFA ependymoma, there exists a significant intertumoral heterogeneity within PFB, with distinct molecular subtypes identified. Even when accounting for this heterogeneity, extent of resection remains the strongest predictor of poor outcome. However, this biological heterogeneity must be accounted for in future preclinical modeling and personalized therapies.
Project description:Posterior fossa type A (PF-EPN-A, PFA) ependymoma are aggressive tumors that mainly affect children and have a poor prognosis. Histopathology shows significant intratumoral heterogeneity, ranging from loose tissue to often sharply demarcated, extremely cell dense tumor areas. To determine molecular differences between these morphologically different areas and to understand their clinical significance, we analyzed 113 PF-EPN-A samples, including 40 corresponding relapse samples. Inter alia, DNA methylation profiles were analysed for high and low cell density regions seperately in 21 cases. Tumor areas with low and high cell density showed diverging DNA methylation profiles regarding their similarity to distinct previously discovered PF-EPN-A subtypes in 9/21 cases. Prognostically relevant chromosomal changes at 1q and 6q showed spatial heterogeneity within single tumors.
Project description:Posterior fossa type A (PF-EPN-A, PFA) ependymoma are aggressive tumors that mainly affect children and have a poor prognosis. Histopathology shows significant intratumoral heterogeneity, ranging from loose tissue to often sharply demarcated, extremely cell dense tumor areas. To determine molecular differences in morphologically different areas and to understand their clinical significance, we analyzed 113 PF-EPN-A samples, including 40 corresponding relapse samples. Relapsing tumors displayed a higher proportion of cell dense areas (p=0.036), a change in PF-EPN-A methylation subtypes (13/32 patients), and novel chromosome 1q gains and 6q losses (12/32 cases) compared to corresponding primary tumors.
Project description:Two distinct groups of posterior fossa ependymoma, PF-EPN-A and PF-EPN-B have been identified in children and are often associated with widely distinct outcomes. We have identified an ultra-high-risk PF-EPN-A ependymoma with 6q loss. We performed RNA sequencing of posterior fossa ependymoma A (PF-EPN-A) tumor samples with chromosome 6q loss and balanced to understand the differences in 6q loss at the transcriptomic level
Project description:Background: Ependymomas encompass multiple, clinically relevant tumor types based on localization and molecular profiles. Although tumors of the methylation class “spinal ependymoma” (SP-EPN) represent the most common intramedullary neoplasms in children and adults, their developmental origin is ill-defined, molecular data are scarce, and the potential heterogeneity within SP-EPN remains unexplored. The only known recurrent genetic events in SP-EPN are loss of chromosome 22q and NF2 mutations, but neither types and frequency of these alterations nor their clinical meaning have been described in a large, epigenetically defined series. Methods: We mapped SP-EPN transcriptomes (n=76) to developmental atlases of the developing and adult spinal cord to uncover potential developmental origins of these tumors. In addition, transcriptomic, epigenetic (n=234), genetic (n=140), and clinical analyses (n=115) were integrated for a detailed overview on this entity. Results: Integration of transcriptomic ependymoma data with single-cell atlases of the spinal cord identified mature adult ependymal cells to display highest similarities to SP-EPN. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of tumor data together with integrated analysis of methylation profiles identified two molecular SP-EPN subtypes. Subtype 1 predominantly contained NF2 wild type sequences with regular NF2 expression but revealed more extensive copy number alterations. Subtype 2 harbored previously known germline or sporadic NF2 mutations and was NF2-deficient in most cases, more often showed multilocular disease, and demonstrated a significantly reduced progression-free survival. Conclusion: Based on integrated molecular profiling of a large tumor series we identify two distinct SP-EPN subtypes with important implications for genetic counseling, patient surveillance, and drug development priorities.
Project description:Background: Ependymomas encompass multiple, clinically relevant tumor types based on localization and molecular profiles. Although tumors of the methylation class “spinal ependymoma” (SP-EPN) represent the most common intramedullary neoplasms in children and adults, their developmental origin is ill-defined, molecular data are scarce, and the potential heterogeneity within SP-EPN remains unexplored. The only known recurrent genetic events in SP-EPN are loss of chromosome 22q and NF2 mutations, but neither types and frequency of these alterations nor their clinical meaning have been described in a large, epigenetically defined series. Methods: We mapped SP-EPN transcriptomes (n=76) to developmental atlases of the developing and adult spinal cord to uncover potential developmental origins of these tumors. In addition, transcriptomic, epigenetic (n=234), genetic (n=140), and clinical analyses (n=115) were integrated for a detailed overview on this entity. Results: Integration of transcriptomic ependymoma data with single-cell atlases of the spinal cord identified mature adult ependymal cells to display highest similarities to SP-EPN. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of tumor data together with integrated analysis of methylation profiles identified two molecular SP-EPN subtypes. Subtype 1 predominantly contained NF2 wild type sequences with regular NF2 expression but revealed more extensive copy number alterations. Subtype 2 harbored previously known germline or sporadic NF2 mutations and was NF2-deficient in most cases, more often showed multilocular disease, and demonstrated a significantly reduced progression-free survival. Conclusion: Based on integrated molecular profiling of a large tumor series we identify two distinct SP-EPN subtypes with important implications for genetic counseling, patient surveillance, and drug development priorities.
Project description:Background: Ependymomas encompass multiple, clinically relevant tumor types based on localization and molecular profiles. Although tumors of the methylation class “spinal ependymoma” (SP-EPN) represent the most common intramedullary neoplasms in children and adults, their developmental origin is ill-defined, molecular data are scarce, and the potential heterogeneity within SP-EPN remains unexplored. The only known recurrent genetic events in SP-EPN are loss of chromosome 22q and NF2 mutations, but neither types and frequency of these alterations nor their clinical meaning have been described in a large, epigenetically defined series. Methods: We mapped SP-EPN transcriptomes (n=76) to developmental atlases of the developing and adult spinal cord to uncover potential developmental origins of these tumors. In addition, transcriptomic, epigenetic (n=234), genetic (n=140), and clinical analyses (n=115) were integrated for a detailed overview on this entity. Results: Integration of transcriptomic ependymoma data with single-cell atlases of the spinal cord identified mature adult ependymal cells to display highest similarities to SP-EPN. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of tumor data together with integrated analysis of methylation profiles identified two molecular SP-EPN subtypes. Subtype 1 predominantly contained NF2 wild type sequences with regular NF2 expression but revealed more extensive copy number alterations. Subtype 2 harbored previously known germline or sporadic NF2 mutations and was NF2-deficient in most cases, more often showed multilocular disease, and demonstrated a significantly reduced progression-free survival. Conclusion: Based on integrated molecular profiling of a large tumor series we identify two distinct SP-EPN subtypes with important implications for genetic counseling, patient surveillance, and drug development priorities.