Radiomics, mirnomics, and radiomirRNomics in glioblastoma: defining tumor biology from shadow to light

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. Genetic characterization of this tumor has identified alterations with prognostic and therapeutic impact, and many efforts are being made to improve molecular knowledge on glioblastoma. Invasive procedures, such as tumor biopsy or radical resection, are needed to characterize the tumor.

Areas covered

The role of microRNA in cancer is an expanding field of research as many microRNAs have been shown to correlate with patient prognosis and treatment response. Novel methodologies like radiomics, radiogenomics, and radiomiRNomics are under evaluation to improve the amount of prognostic and predictive biomarkers available.

Expert opinion

The role of radiomics, radiogenomics, and radiomiRNomic for the characterization of glioblastoma will further improve in the coming years.

KEYWORDS:

• Glioblastoma
• miRNA
• radiomics
• radiogenomics
• radiomiRNomics

Article highlights

• Radiomics, radiogenomics, and radiomiRNomics are currently being evaluated for the molecular characterization of glioblastoma

• Radiomics aim to obtain quantitative information from radiological imaging using mathematical calculus and dedicated software

• MicroRNA expression has been evaluated as a potential biomarker in glioblastoma to improve histologic and prognostic tumor classification

• Radiogenomics involves the integration of radiophenotypes derived from radiological images and gene expression patterns and genomic alterations of the tumor

• RadiomiRNomic studies involve the integration of radiomics and miRNomics in order to combine information gained from imaging features and gene and miRNA expression profiles

Disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper received no funding.