Malignant Transformation of Molecularly Classified Adult Low-Grade Glioma

Malignant transformation (MT) of adult grade 2 glioma (low-grade glioma [LGG]) is associated with adverse survival. We sought to describe the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for MT of molecularly classified LGG.

We reviewed a single-institutional database of adults who received a diagnosis of LGG with data allowing for molecular classification from 1980 to 2018 to evaluate time to MT and its associated risk factors. MT was defined as pathologic confirmation of grade 3-4 glioma and/or imaging characteristics consistent with MT by multidisciplinary consensus.

Among the included 486 adults with molecularly classified LGG, median age was 39 years (range, 18-78), median tumor size was 3.9 cm (range, 0.3-13.0), and 262 (54%) were male. Molecular classification was IDH^mut1p/19q^codel in 169 (35%), IDH^mut1p/19q^intact in 125 (26%), and IDH^wt in 192 (40%) patients. Adjuvant management was observation in 246 (51%) patients, temozolomide alone in 82 (16%), radiation therapy alone in 63 (13%), and radiation therapy concurrent with temozolomide in 81 (17%). Temozolomide monotherapy was more likely to be given to IDH^mut1p/19q^codel patients (P < .001). Median follow-up was 5.3 years. MT occurred in 84 (17%) patients, with a 5-year freedom from MT of 86% (95% confidence interval [CI], 82%-90%). Median overall survival after MT was 2.4 years (95% CI, 1.5-3.3) and was associated with molecular classification (P = .03) and grade at MT (P < .001). Factors associated with MT were male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6; P = .009), tumor size ≥5 cm (HR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.0-6.2; P < .001), IDH^mut1p/19q^intact (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6; P = .009) or IDH^wt classification (HR, 5.5; 95% CI, 2.5-11.8; P < .001), and adjuvant temozolomide monotherapy (HR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4-10.3; P = .008).

MT of LGG has a poor prognosis associated with unfavorable molecular groups. Analysis of our large cohort identified adjuvant temozolomide monotherapy as the only modifiable risk factor for MT and provides the first clinical evidence of temozolomide-associated MT among molecularly classified adult LGG. This novel finding supplements our understanding of temozolomide-induced hypermutation and informs precision management of LGG.