DNA methylation-based classification of meningiomas
Research type
Research Study
Full title
DNA methylation-based classification and retrospective analysis of clinically aggressive meningiomas: a pilot study
IRAS ID
292775
Contact name
Matthew Isaac Sanders
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
STH 21478, STH Ref Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Meningiomas are brain tumours that develop from the layers of tissue that surround the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. Meningiomas are a relatively common type of brain tumour, accounting for about one in every five diagnoses of brain tumour in England between 2006 and 2010.
Meningiomas are graded between 1 and 3 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – the more aggressive the tumour, the higher its grade. The WHO grade is based on how the tumour cells appear when examined under a microscope. The majority (around 90%) of meningiomas are benign, so-called WHO grade 1. WHO grade 2 and 3 meningiomas are less common (around 8% and 2%, respectively), however, can pose greater problems for patients given how aggressively they can occur and recur. Whilst grade 2 tumours are also considered benign (albeit with higher recurrence rates), grade 3 tumours are cancerous.
Some meningiomas behave much more aggressively than expected. Modern technologies that assess the genetic make-up of other brain tumours are now more widely available. These advances have allowed many types of brain tumours to be categorised depending on their genetics. This has allowed for targeted therapies and personalised information to be offered to patients regarding their outcome and chance of recurrence and helps tailor their treatment.
Research into the genetic make-up of meningiomas has been performed that suggests that the WHO classification does not reflect how aggressive a particular tumour may be, and that analysing the genetics of meningiomas can offer a better idea as to how each individual tumour may behave. This information could allow for more targeted treatment for each patient.
This project aims to analyse existing stored samples from a small number of WHO grade 1 and 2 meningiomas that behaved more aggressively than expected. This would further validate integrating genetic analyses into meningioma classification.
REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
21/WA/0161
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion