Exploring the role of advanced MRI in understanding glioblastoma biology: A scoping review protocol

Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers unique opportunities to explore the biological complexity of glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain tumour. The 2021 World Health Organization reclassification of glioblastoma has obscured the interpretation of prior imaging research, necessitating a focussed synthesis to align it with current guidelines. This scoping review protocol aims to systematically map evidence from adult, preoperative, isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype glioblastoma to answer the question, "can advanced MRI help understand the biology of glioblastoma?" It will focus on peer-reviewed studies investigating associations between advanced MRI and tumour characteristics, including correlations with histopathological/molecular markers. Five databases will be searched for primary sources using advanced MRI, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion-, perfusion-, chemical exchange saturation transfer- and susceptibility-weighted imaging, to image glioblastoma. Findings will be stratified by biological domains, such as molecular factors, vascularisation and metabolism.•Databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, EBSCO, Embase.•Methodology: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews framework and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance.•Outcome: Evidence map and narrative synthesis of biological insights derived from advanced MRI, aligning literature with the current classification and highlighting methodological gaps and priorities for validation and clinical translation to guide future study design and standardisation efforts.