Diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M-mutant
Diffuse midline glioma (DMG), H3 K27M-mutant, is a new entity in the World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System 2016 grouping together diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas and infiltrating glial neoplasms of the midline harboring the same canonical mutation at the Lysine 27 of the histone H3 tail.
In the past, pediatric diffuse gliomas were grouped with their adult counterparts, despite known differences in behavior between pediatric and adult gliomas with similar histological appearances. Information on the distinct underlying genetic abnormalities in pediatric diffuse gliomas is beginning to allow the separation of some entities from histologically similar adult counterparts.
One narrowly defined group of tumors primarily occurring in children (but sometimes in adults too) is characterized by K27M mutations in the histone H3 gene H3F3A, or less commonly in the related HIST1H3B gene, a diffuse growth pattern, and a midline location (e.g., thalamus, brain stem, and spinal cord). This newly defined entity is termed diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M–mutant and includes tumors previously referred to as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The identification of this phenotypically and molecularly defined set of tumors provides a rationale for therapies directed against the effects of these mutations.
Epidemiology
Diffuse H3 K27M-mutant gliomas occur primarily in children but can also be encountered in adults.
Diagnosis
see Diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M-mutant diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis
After the start of the era of biopsy, Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG)s bearing Histone H3K27 mutations have been reclassified into a novel entity, diffuse midline glioma, based on the presence of this molecular alteration. However, it is not well established how clinically diagnosed DIPG overlap with H3 K27-mutated diffuse midline gliomas, and whether rare long-term survivors also belong to this group 1).
Treatment
see Diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M-mutant treatment.
Outcome
Prognosis remains poor, with a 2-year survival of less than 10%
Research
Contemporary survival endpoints: an International Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Registry study 2).
Eight patient-derived orthotopic xenograft models were obtained after direct stereotactic injection of a mixed cell suspension containing tumor cells and stromal cells in the brainstem or thalamus of nude mice and serially passaged thereafter. In parallel, we developed 6 cell-derived xenograft models after orthotopic injection of tumor-initiating cells cultured from stereotactic biopsies. Cells were modified to express luciferase to enable longitudinal tumor growth monitoring, and fluorescent reporter proteins to trace the tumor cells in the brain.These models do not form a tumor mass, they are invasive, show the H3K27 trimethylation loss in vivo and the tumor type diversity observed in patients in terms of histone H3 mutations and lineage markers. Histological and MRI features at 11.7 Tesla show similarities with treatment naïve human DIPG, and in this respect, both direct and indirect orthotopic xenograft looked alike. These DIPG models will therefore constitute valuable tools for evaluating new therapeutic approaches in this devastating disease 3).
Case series
Diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M-mutant case series.
Case reports
A 36-year-old man presented with subacute progressive cognitive and visual deterioration, and hydrocephalus requiring ventricular shunting. MRI revealed a diffusely infiltrating lesion with a gliomatosis cerebri growth pattern, multiple foci of contrast enhancement, and diffuse leptomeningeal involvement. Suboccipital craniotomy with exploration of the posterior fossa revealed a subtle capsular lesion infiltrating into the choroid plexus. Although histologically low-grade, the tumor was found to have an H3K27 M mutation establishing the diagnosis.
In spite of diverse clinicopathologic characteristics, H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas are incurable, WHO grade IV lesions with poor prognosis. Yekula et al. discussed the case in the context of a review of published reports of H3K27-mutant diffuse midline gliomas in adults. Findings late in the disease course may mimic inflammatory or infectious pathologies radiographically, and low-grade infiltrative neoplasms histologically.
The diverse clinical, radiographic and molecular features of H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas in adults remain to be completely characterized. A high index of suspicion is required to avoid missing the diagnosis. Early biopsy and detailed molecular characterization are critical for accurate diagnosis and patient counseling 4).