Characteristics of IDH-mutant gliomas with non-canonical IDH mutation

Abstract

Background Approximately 10% of IDH-mutant gliomas harbour non-canonical IDH mutations (non-p.R132H IDH1 and IDH2 mutations). Objective The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of non-canonical IDH-mutant gliomas. Materials and methods We retrospectively analysed the characteristics of 166 patients with non-canonical IDH mutant gliomas and compared them to those of 155 consecutive patients with IDH1 p.R132H mutant gliomas. Results The median age at diagnosis was 38 years in patients with non-canonical IDH mutant gliomas and 43 years in glioma patients with IDH1 p.R132H-mutant tumours. Family history of cancer was more frequent among glioma patients harbouring non-canonical IDH mutations than in patients with IDH1 p.R132H mutations (22.2% vs 5.1%; P < 0.05). Tumours were predominantly localised in the frontal lobe regardless of the type of IDH mutation. Compared to IDH1 p.R132H-mutant gliomas, tumours with non-canonical IDH mutations were more frequently found in the infratentorial region (5.5% vs 0%; P < 0.05) and were often multicentric (4.8% vs 0.9%; P < 0.05). Compared to IDH1 P.R132H-mutant gliomas, tumours with non-canonical IDH1 mutations were more frequently astrocytomas (65.6% vs 43%, P < 0.05), while those with IDH2 mutations were more frequently oligodendrogliomas (85% vs 48.3%; P < 0.05). The median overall survival was similar in patients with IDH1 p.R132H-mutant gliomas and patients with non-canonical IDH-mutant gliomas. Conclusion Gliomas with non-canonical IDH mutations have distinct radiological and histological characteristics. The presence of such tumours seems to be associated with genetic predisposition to cancer development.