H3 G34-mutant high-grade glioma

Brain Tumor Pathol. 2021 Jan;38(1):4-13. doi: 10.1007/s10014-020-00378-8. Epub 2020 Sep 29.

Abstract

H3F3A G34 (H3.3 G34)-mutant high-grade gliomas (HGG) are rare, and newly recognized infiltrating gliomas of the cerebral hemisphere. Here, we report the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of four H3.3 G34-mutant gliomas in terms of its biological behavior compared to those of glioblastomas (GBMs) and H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) of our hospital. The median age of the four patients with H3.3 G34 HGG was 44.5 years (14-66 years). Three patients had tumors in the cerebral hemisphere, whereas one patient had synchronous double tumors in the cerebral hemisphere and posterior fossa. All these tumors were high-grade glioma, but neither microvascular proliferation nor necrosis. They displayed uniform genetic and epigenetic signatures; ATRX-mutant, MGMT promoter-methylated, Olig2-negative, but IDH- and TERT promoter-wildtype. The median survival rate of H3.3 G34-mutant HGGs, IDH-was 23.5 months. In conclusion, H3.3 G34-mutant gliomas were unique HGGs with uniform genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, which suggested a single phylogenic origin. The median survival of H3.3 G34-mutant HGGs was better than those of IDH-wildtype GBMs and H3 K27M-mutant DMGs, but worse than that of IDH-mutant GBM. The tumor-infiltrating area and resectability may be the crucial parameters for the prognosis of the patients.

Keywords: Diffuse glioma; Glioblastoma; H3.3 G34; High grade glioma; Survival.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cerebrum / pathology
  • Female
  • Glioma / genetics*
  • Glioma / mortality
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Histones / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Survival Rate
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • H3-3A protein, human
  • Histones