Using Connectomics and Machine Learning to Predict Survival in Diffuse Glioma

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R03 · $81,045 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

ABSTRACT Diffuse gliomas are the most common malignant primary brain tumors. Clinical outcomes, including overall survival, vary significantly across individual patients and are not adequately explained by known prognostic factors such as age, histologic and molecular pathology, and imparted treatments. A deeper understanding of prognostic influences in diffuse glioma can facilitate therapeutic decision making and patient counselling and lend further insight into the biologic underpinnings of the disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain are part of standard pre-operative evaluation in these patients. As brain structure and function are modulated by biologic and environment factors, MRI-derived metrics often provide sensitive prognostic biomarkers. We have preliminarily shown that connectomics, a method of measuring brain connectivity from MRI, can accurately predict survival in patients with diffuse glioma. We will retrospectively obtain at least 1,150 datasets and attempt to validate our preliminary models (Aim 1). We will also examine connectome phenotypes associated with tumor genotypes to help refine and improve our models (Aim 2). Accurate pre- operative prediction of outcome may ultimately allow for better tailored interventions for the individual patient and assist clinicians in optimizing both tumor control and neurologic function in treatment decision making.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10492019
Project number
5R03CA241862-02
Recipient
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Principal Investigator
SHELLI R KESLER
Activity code
R03
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2022
Award amount
$81,045
Award type
5
Project period
2021-09-21 → 2023-08-31