The TeloDIAG: how telomeric parameters can help in glioma rapid diagnosis and liquid biopsy approaches

Background: In glioma, TERT promoter mutation and loss of ATRX (ATRX loss) are associated with reactivation of telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), respectively, i.e. the two telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM). Strangely, 25% of gliomas have been reported to display neither or both of these alterations. Materials and methods: The C-circle (CC) assay was adapted to tumor (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and frozen) and blood samples to investigate the TMM. Results: We constructed a CC-based algorithm able to identify the TMM and reported a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97.3% (n = 284 gliomas). By combining the TMM, the mutational status of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH) gene (IDHmt), and the histological grading, we propose a new classification tool: TeloDIAG. This classification defined five subtypes: tOD, tLGA, tGBM_IDHmt, tGBM, and tAIV, corresponding to oligodendroglioma, IDHmt low-grade astrocytoma, IDHmt glioblastoma, and IDHwt glioblastoma (GBM), respectively; the last class gathers ALTthorn IDHwt gliomas that tend to be related to longer survival (21.2 months) than tGBM (16.5 months). The TeloDIAG was 99% concordant with the World Health Organization classification (n = 312), and further modified the classification of 55 of 144 (38%) gliomas with atypical molecular characteristics. As an example, 14 of 69 (20%) of TERTwt, ATRXwt, and IDHwt GBM were actually tAIV. Outstandingly, CC in blood sampled from IDHmt astrocytoma patients was detected with a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 97% (n = 206 gliomas and 30 healthy donors). Conclusion: The TeloDIAG is a new, simple, and effective tool helping in glioma diagnosis and a promising option for liquid biopsy.

Automated summary

A new algorithm based on the C-circle assay was developed to identify telomere maintenance mechanisms in gliomas, leading to the proposal of a new classification tool, TeloDIAG, which defined five subtypes with potential implications for prognosis and treatment. This tool showed a high level of concordance with the World Health Organization classification and provided valuable insights into the molecular characteristics of gliomas, potentially influencing treatment decisions.