Machine learning-based models for prediction of survival in medulloblastoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the pediatric population's most frequent malignant intracranial lesions. Prognostication plays a crucial role in optimizing treatment strategy in the MB setting. Several studies have developed ML-based models to predict survival outcomes in individuals with MB. In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, we aimed to evaluate the role of ML-based models in predicting survival in MB patients.

Literature records were retrieved on May 14th, 2024, using the relevant key terms without filters in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Records were screened according to the eligibility criteria, and the data from the included studies were extracted. The quality assessment was performed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted using R software.

Six studies were included, with 2771 patients ranging from 46 to 1759 individuals. A total of 23 ML and DL models were developed, 20 of which were ML and three DL. Random forest (RF) was the most frequent classifier, as it was utilized in nine models, followed by support vector machine (SVM). Eight models were included in the meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis revealed a pooled AUC of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.75-0.80). In addition, the radionics-based and genomics-based models had a pooled AUC of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.76-079) and 0.76 (0.63-0.88), respectively (P = 0.77).

Our results suggested that ML-based models, especially ML algorithms, could play a vital and efficient role in the prediction of survival of patients based on radiomics and genomics.