A Brain-Aging Transcriptomic Signature Reclassifies WHO Glioma Grade and Predicts Survival Independently of IDH Status: A Multi-Cohort Study

Researchers developed a new test based on genes that helps better predict the prognosis of patients with gliomas (brain tumors). The test measures a transcriptomic signature of brain aging that reflects inflammatory response and loss of nerve connections. The study included 888 patients from the TCGA database and 693 patients from the Chinese CGGA database. Results showed that patients with high brain-aging scores had worse prognosis (p < 0.0001), and this indicator was independent of WHO grade and tumor IDH status. The test identified high-risk grade 2 tumors that behaved like more aggressive grade 3 tumors, and conversely, some grade 3 tumors had better prognosis than grade 2. This new test could help doctors better identify high-risk patients and avoid overtreatment of patients with less aggressive tumors.