Prediction of Survival Outcomes in Patients with Glioma Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Glioma is the most common malignancy in the central nervous system. Even with optimal therapies, glioblastoma (the most aggressive form of glioma) is incurable, with only 26.5% of patients having a 2-year survival rate. The present meta-analysis evaluated the association of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived parameters in glioma patients with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival. Eligible clinical articles on glioma patients included those that contained an evaluation of the association between MRI findings, PFS, and overall length of survival. Methods: Review of the literature included the following databases: WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform; Google Scholar; Web of Science; PubMed; SIGLE; NYAM; Scopus; Randomized controlled trial (RCT); Virtual Health Library (VHL); Cochrane Collaboration; EMBASE; and Clinical Trials. Results: The current review included 20 studies, and covered 2097 patients with gliomas. There were 1310 patients with glioblastoma and 320 with astrocytoma. There were 161 patients with grade-2 gliomas and 111 patients with grade-3. Tumour necrosis, peritumoural oedema, and multiple lesions were associated with PFS, as well as tumour necrosis and peritumoural oedema with overall survival. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis highlighted the ability of MRI to predict PFS and overall survival in patients with gliomas. This is crucial to identify patients at risk for poor survival outcomes and for individualising the treatment plan for such patients. The PROSPERO Registration: CRD42023489535, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=489535.