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Updated: May 9, 2026
Methyl-binding DNA capture Sequencing for Patient Tissues
Published on: October 31, 2016
MRI Features for Differentiation of Meningioma DNA Methylation Groups
Theresa J Yu1, Tracy Luks1, Evan Calabrese1
1From the Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging (T.J.Y., T.L., E.C.), Neurological Surgery (J.E.V.-M.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Radiation Oncology (A.C., D.R.R.), Department of Neurological Surgery, Radiation Oncology (W.C.C.), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Neurosurgery (M.W.M.), Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, FL and Department of Neurosurgery (S.T.M.), Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Background:
DNA methylation profiling is a predictor of meningioma behavior and outcomes. We aimed to identify qualitative and quantitative MRI features to distinguish between three meningioma methylation groups: Merlin-intact, Immune-enriched, and Hypermitotic, each with distinct clinical outcomes, biologic features, and therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Materials And Methods:
Preoperative MRIs were retrospectively analyzed in meningiomas with previous DNA methylation profiling. Pearson's Chi-square, Fisher exact, and ANOVA tests were used to compare features between the three groups. ROC AUCs were used to assess the accuracy in discriminating between groups.
Results:
165 patients (54 years ± 14 SD; 58 men) were analyzed. 60 meningiomas were Merlin-intact, 55 Immune-enriched, and 50 Hypermitotic. Qualitative reduced diffusion (p< .001), nADC (p< .001), T2WI signal intensity (p= .02), T1 CE volume (p<.005), and tumor site (p<.001) varied between the groups. Merlin-intact meningiomas had higher T2WI signal intensity than Immune-enriched tumors (1.97 ± 0.98 vs 1.63 ± 0.45, p= .04). Hypermitotic meningiomas had the highest proportion of tumors with qualitative reduced diffusion (67%) and lowest nADC values (1.07 ± 0.14) compared to Merlin-intact (18%, p< .001; 1.41 ± 0.30, p< .001) and Immune-enriched (31%, p= .02; 1.29 ± 0.29, p= .002) meningiomas. The presence of qualitative reduced diffusion (AUC 0.71, p= .001) and lower nADC (AUC 0.82, p< .001) were able to predict Hypermitotic meningiomas. Merlin-intact tumors were predicted by the absence of qualitative reduced diffusion (AUC 0.66, p= 0.01), higher nADC (AUC 0.74, p< .001), and higher T2WI signal intensity (AUC 0.64, p= .047). Hypermitotic tumors (64.3 cm3 ± 49.1) had larger T1CE volumes than Merlin-intact (42.5 cm3 ± 37.9, p= .02) and Immune-enriched (38.2 cm3 ± 37.7, p=<.002) tumors, with tumor size a predictor of Hypermitotic (AUC 0.65, p=.003) and Immune-enriched (AUC 0.62, p=.02) meningiomas. Merlin-intact tumors were predicted by presence at the skull base (AUC 0.67, p<.001) while Immune-enriched tumors were predicted by location outside of the skull base (AUC 0.61; 95% CI 0.70, 0.52, p= .02).
Conclusions:
MR imaging has the potential to discriminate between different molecular groups of meningioma and to serve as a surrogate non-invasive marker of tumor behavior.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can differentiate meningioma subtypes based on DNA methylation. Specific MRI features like diffusion and tumor site help predict meningioma behavior and guide treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- DNA methylation profiling predicts meningioma behavior.
- Identifying distinct meningioma molecular groups is crucial for targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify qualitative and quantitative MRI features distinguishing three meningioma methylation groups: Merlin-intact, Immune-enriched, and Hypermitotic.
- To assess MRI's potential as a non-invasive marker for meningioma behavior.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of preoperative MRIs from 165 patients with known DNA methylation profiles.
- Statistical comparison of MRI features (e.g., diffusion, T2WI intensity, tumor site) between methylation groups.
- Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in reduced diffusion, nADC, T2WI signal intensity, T1 CE volume, and tumor site were observed between the three groups.
- Reduced diffusion and lower nADC values accurately predicted Hypermitotic meningiomas.
- Tumor location (skull base vs. non-skull base) predicted Merlin-intact and Immune-enriched groups, respectively.
Conclusions:
- MRI features can effectively discriminate between distinct molecular meningioma subtypes.
- MRI serves as a valuable non-invasive tool for predicting meningioma behavior and guiding clinical management.
