Lactate and total choline show potential prognostic values in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

Motivation: Metabolic mapping in Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) may indicate prognosis and potential therapeutic targets. Goal(s): We intended to identify metabolic ratios that indicated dysregulated metabolic pathways using 1H-MRS and determine whether these metabolites are associated with overall survival length. Approach: We performed CSI in patients with DIPG prior to radiation therapy. Then we assessed the predictive value of a metabolite ratio for patient overall survival. Results: Lactate and total choline levels were found to be significantly associated with patient overall survival, making them potential prognostic predictors of overall survival in DIPG. Impact: This study shows that more aggressive DIPGs are metabolically distinct from less aggressive tumors and that the metabolic differences can predict the overall survival of patients.