Advancing CNS tumor diagnostics with expanded DNA methylation-based classification

Abstract

DNA methylation-based classification is integral to contemporary neuro-oncological diagnostics, as highlighted by the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. We introduce the Heidelberg CNS Tumor Methylation Classifier version 12.8 (v12.8), trained using 7,495 methylation profiles, thereby expanding recognized tumor types from 91 classes in the previously published v11 ¹ to 184 subclasses in v12.8. This expansion was primarily driven by novel tumor types discovered in our large website-derived repository and through global collaborations, further elucidating the heterogeneity of CNS tumors. Utilizing a random forest-based methodology, the classifier was rigorously validated through five-fold nested cross-validation, achieving a 95% subclass-level accuracy and a Brier score of 0.028, indicative of well-calibrated probability estimates. The hierarchical output structure facilitates comprehensive interpretation, allowing clinicians to assess subclass and aggregate class-level probabilities for informed decision-making. Comparative analyses demonstrate that v12.8 surpasses previous versions as well as traditional WHO-based diagnostics across diverse tumor cohorts. These advancements underscore the enhanced precision and practical utility of the updated Heidelberg CNS Tumor Methylation Classifier, reinforcing the pivotal role of DNA methylation profiling in personalized neuro-oncological care.