Integrative Multi-Omics Features Stratify Metabolic and Immune Subtypes in Glioma

Gliomas are aggressive CNS tumors with significant heterogeneity, posing challenges for effective treatment. This study aims to enhance glioma classification by integrating multi-omics data, including genomics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics, focusing on metabolic and immune subtypes.

Transcriptome data from 1,720 patients with glioma were analyzed to identify key prognostic factors, including 42 metabolism-related genes and 25 immune cells. A metabolism-immune classifier was developed to categorize gliomas into four subgroups: Metabolism^high/tumor microenvironment (TME)^high, Metabolism^low/TME^high, Metabolism^high/TME^low, and Metabolism^low/TME^low. Multicohort MRI radiomics combined with machine learning algorithms were used to predict these subtypes. Single-cell RNA and spatial transcriptome sequencing were used to validate subgroups' metabolic and immunological characterization.

The Metabolism^low/TME^low subgroup showed the best prognosis, whereas the Metabolism^high/TME^high subgroup had the worst. Machine learning models can predict glioma subtypes noninvasively based on MRI radiomics. Single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed the distinct metabolic and immune profiles of the glioma subgroups, revealing significant cellular heterogeneity within the TME.

This study demonstrates that integrating multi-omics data with MRI radiomics provides a robust framework for glioma classification, enabling more precise and personalized treatment strategies. The findings highlight the critical role of metabolic and immune profiling in understanding glioma heterogeneity and improving clinical outcomes.