Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor (DLGNT): a comprehensive clinical and molecular analysis

Abstract

Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumors (DLGNTs) are rare, and optimal treatment remains undefined. We aim to comprehensively characterize their clinical and molecular features, offering granular insights into presentations and therapies to elucidate prognostic factors and therapeutic targets. Histologic, molecular, and clinical data of 30 patients with DLGNT were analyzed. Median age at diagnosis was 7.5 years (range: 0.9–20 years). Disease was localized at diagnosis in 16 patients (53.3%), predominantly in the spinal cord (14/16, 87.5%). KIAA1549::BRAF fusion occurred in 27 (96.4%) of 28 patients. DNA methylation profiling of 23 tumors classified 4 (17.4%) as DLGNT MC-1, 3 (13.0%) as DLGNT MC-2, and 16 (69.6%) as DLGNT, but not to a specific subclass. Median follow-up was 57.5 months. Most patients (90.0%) received adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy was the first-line adjuvant therapy in 19 patients (70.4%); targeted therapy in 5 patients (18.5%), and radiotherapy in 2 patients (7.4%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) after first chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiotherapy was 44 (1–77) months, 18 (4–39) months, and 16.5 (9–23) months, respectively. Five-year PFS was 15.9% ± 8.0, and 5 year overall survival (OS) was 83.3% ± 8.8. Patients older than 9 years at diagnosis (p = 0.002) and those with MC-2 (p = 0.04) had worse 5 year OS. Multi-omic analysis revealed simultaneous activation of multiple signaling pathways, which may serve as potential therapeutic targets. DLGNT remains challenging to treat, with poor outcomes across modalities. Further investigation of treatment, including targeted therapies addressing activated pathways, is needed to improve patient survival.