Value Assessment of Atypical Central Neurocytoma Classification and Treatment Options

Abstract Background The classification and treatment strategy of atypical central neurocytomas (CNs) are still controversial largely, this study aimed to explore the optical treatment strategy and characteristics in transcriptomic profile. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed data from Sixty-one patients with CNs who underwent surgery in single institution. Whole-transcriptome analysis was used to investigate the differences between typical and atypical CNs. Results The five-year OS (P= 0.015) and PFS rates (P= 0.000002) were significantly higher in the complete resection group than in the incomplete resection group. Postoperative radiotherapy did not affect OS (P=0.255) or PFS (P=0.398) in the complete resection group. The five-year PFS rate (P=0.000038) among patients in the complete resection group who did not receive radiotherapy was significantly longer than that among patients in the incomplete resection group who received radiotherapy. The extent of surgical resection and operative approaches were irrelevant to perioperative complications and dsyfunctions at the last follow-up. Compared with caudate control, some of differentially expressed genes may involve cancer. Finally, the overexpression of ten genes (AMOTL1, PIK3R3, TGFBR1, SMO, COL4A6, MGP, SOX4, IGF2, Slit1 and CKS2) in atypical CNs may be associated with malignancy in atypical CNs. Conclusion Complete resection is relatively the best therapeutic modality for atypical CNs, radiotherapy is not necessary for patients after complete resection of the tumor. Although the previous definition of atypical CNs may not have significant prognostic value, the overexpression of ten genes may be involved in malignant behaviors and potential candidate hallmarks for differentiating the atypical CNs. Although the number of cases was relatively small, the findings could be helpful and instructive in the clinical treatment of this disease.