Identification of Meningioma Patients at High Risk of Tumor Recurrence Using MicroRNA Profiling

Meningioma growth rates are highly variable, even within benign subgroups, with some remaining stable, whereas others grow rapidly.

To identify molecular-genetic markers for more accurate prediction of meningioma recurrence and better-targeted therapy.

Microarrays identified microRNA (miRNA) expression in primary and recurrent meningiomas of all World Health Organization (WHO) grades. Those found to be deregulated were further validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in a cohort of 172 patients. Statistical analysis of the resulting dataset revealed predictors of meningioma recurrence.

Adjusted and nonadjusted models of time to relapse identified the most significant prognosticators to be miR-15a-5p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-331-3p. The final validation phase proved the crucial significance of miR-146a-5p and miR-331-3p, and clinical factors such as type of resection (total or partial) and WHO grade in some selected models. Following stepwise selection in a multivariate model on an expanded cohort, the most predictive model was identified to be that which included lower miR-331-3p expression (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44; P < .001) and partial tumor resection (HR 3.90; P < .001). Moreover, in the subgroup of total resections, both miRNAs remained prognosticators in univariate models adjusted to the clinical factors.

The proposed models might enable more accurate prediction of time to meningioma recurrence and thus determine optimal postoperative management. Moreover, combining this model with current knowledge of molecular processes underpinning recurrence could permit the identification of distinct meningioma subtypes and enable better-targeted therapies.