MEDB-71. Molecular characterisation of group 4 medulloblastoma improves risk-stratification and its biological understanding

Group 4 (MB(Grp4)) accounts for ~40% of medulloblastoma and the majority of non-WNT/non-SHH cases, yet its underpinning biology is poorly understood, and survival outcomes are not sufficiently explained by established clinico-pathological risk factors. We investigated the clinical and molecular correlates of MB(Grp4), including second-generation methylation non-WNT/non-SHH subtypes (I-VIII) and whole chromosome aberration (WCA) subtypes (defined by chromosome 7 gain, 8 loss, and 11 loss; WCA-favourable risk [WCA-FR] ≥2 features, WCA-high risk [WCA-HR] ≤1 feature). A clinically-annotated MB(Grp4) discovery cohort (n=378) was assembled from UK CCLG institutions, collaborating centres and SIOP-UKCCSG-PNET3/HIT-SIOP-PNET4 clinical trials. Contemporary molecular profiling integrating methylation/WCA subtypes and next-generation sequencing was performed. Survival modelling was carried out with patients >3 years old who received craniospinal irradiation (n=336). Association analysis confirmed relationships between methylation and WCA subtypes. Subtypes VI and VII were enriched for WCA-FR (p<0.0001) and aneuploidy, whereas subtype VIII was defined solely by i17q (p<0.0001). Whilst we observed an overall low mutational burden, WCA-HR harboured recurrent mutations in genes involved in chromatin remodelling (p=0.007). No gene-specific events were associated with disease risk, however integration of both methylation subtype and WCA groups enabled improved risk-stratification survival models that outperformed current schemes. The optimal MB(Grp4)-specific model stratified patients into: favourable-risk (local disease, subtype VII or subtype VI with WCA-FR; 39/194 [20%], 97% 5-year PFS), very-high-risk (metastatic disease with WCA-HR; 71/194 [37%], 50% 5-year PFS) and high-risk (remaining patients; 84/194 [43%], 67% 5-year PFS). Findings were validated in independent cohorts. Comprehensive clinico-molecular assessment of MB(Grp4) provides important understanding of its clinical and biological heterogeneity. Our novel MB(Grp4) stratification scheme removes standard risk disease and identifies a favourable risk group (20% of MB(Grp4)) with potential for therapy de-escalation. Current therapeutic strategies are insufficient for the very-high risk group (encompassing 37% of MB(Grp4)), for whom novel therapies are urgently required.