Monitoring of Patients With Diffuse Gliomas Using Circulating miRNAs

Overview

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes and, consequently, of intracellular signalling pathways that govern cellular behaviour (Komatsu et al., 2023). They are widely implicated in oncogenesis, and in particular in mechanisms promoting cell migration, invasion and proliferation (Romano et al., 2021). Several preliminary studies have shown that serum levels of pro-oncogenic microRNAs correlate with tumor rates in gliomas (Jones et al., 2021; Levallet et al., 2022; Morokoff et al., 2020). Morokoff's study showed encouraging but insufficient results on the possibility of using microRNAs to differentiate radionecrosis versus recurrence. These results need to be consolidated prospectively, with homogeneous samples taken from all patients. The aim of this study is to describe the evolution over time of plasma levels of pro-oncogenic microRNAs, after surgery for grade 4 glioma, in order to assess whether they can be used to identify false-positive recurrences on MRI (radionecrosis).

Diffuse gliomas are the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system, representing around 3,400 cases per year in France (Defossez et al., 2019). Their grade varies from 2 to 4. Whatever the grade, their prognosis is dismal (Grade 2: median survival \> 10 years, Grade 3: median survival around 5 years, Grades 4: median survival \< 2 years) (Yang et al., 2016). Grade 4 diffuse gliomas are the most common gliomas. Their treatment is based on excision of the tumor as completely as possible while preserving the patient's neurological functions. This surgical treatment is followed by a "Stupp" radiochemotherapy protocol (Stupp et al., 2005). Nevertheless, recurrence of grade 4 gliomas after surgery is inevitable, and usually occurs within 2 years of surgery (Pineda et al., 2023). In fact, gliomas are infiltrating tumors, with tumor cells infiltrating the brain parenchyma up to 2 cm from the periphery of the tumor visualized on MRI, which explains their inevitable recurrence, since surgery cannot be wide (it is difficult to achieve "safety margins" at the cerebral level) and will invariably leave tumor cells in situ (Pallud et al., 2013). In the event of recurrence, second-line chemotherapy or further surgery may then be proposed to the patient. Patients are monitored by regular brain MRI scans, but it is important to be aware of the risks involved.