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Multi-institutional atlas of brain metastases informs spatial modeling for precision imaging and personalized therapy

Author

Listed:
  • Jorge Barrios

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Evan Porter

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Dante P. I. Capaldi

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Taman Upadhaya

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • William C. Chen

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Julian R. Perks

    (University of California Davis Health)

  • Aditya Apte

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering
    Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

  • Michalis Aristophanous

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering)

  • Eve LoCastro

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering
    Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

  • Dylan Hsu

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

  • Payton H. Stone

    (University of California Davis Health)

  • Javier E. Villanueva-Meyer

    (University of California San Francisco
    University of California San Francisco)

  • Gilmer Valdes

    (University of California San Francisco
    University of California San Francisco
    Moffit Cancer Center)

  • Fei Jiang

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Michael Maddalena

    (University Health Network
    University of Toronto)

  • Ase Ballangrud

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering)

  • Kayla Prezelski

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering)

  • Hui Lin

    (University of California San Francisco
    UCSF/UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Bioengineering)

  • Jinger Y. Sun

    (University of California Davis Health)

  • Muhtada A. K. Aldin

    (University of California Davis Health)

  • Oi Wai Chau

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Benjamin Ziemer

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Maasa Seaberg

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Penny K. Sneed

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Jean L. Nakamura

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Lauren C. Boreta

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Shannon E. Fogh

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • David R. Raleigh

    (University of California San Francisco
    University of California San Francisco
    University of California San Francisco)

  • Jessica Chew

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Harish Vasudevan

    (University of California San Francisco
    University of California San Francisco)

  • Soonmee Cha

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Christopher Hess

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Ruben Fragoso

    (University of California Davis Health)

  • David B. Shultz

    (University of Toronto)

  • Luke Pike

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering)

  • Shawn L. Hervey-Jumper

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Derek S. Tsang

    (University Health Network)

  • Philip Theodosopoulos

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Daniel Cooke

    (University of California San Francisco
    University of California San Francisco)

  • Stanley H. Benedict

    (University of California Davis Health)

  • Ke Sheng

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Jan Seuntjens

    (University Health Network
    University of Toronto)

  • Catherine Coolens

    (University Health Network
    University of Toronto)

  • Joseph O. Deasy

    (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

  • Steve Braunstein

    (University of California San Francisco)

  • Olivier Morin

    (University of California San Francisco
    UCSF/UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Bioengineering)

Abstract

Brain metastases are a frequent and debilitating manifestation of advanced cancer. Here, we collect and analyze neuroimaging of 3,065 cancer patients with 13,067 brain metastases, representing an extensive collection for research. We find that metastases predominantly localize to high perfusion areas near the grey-white matter junction, but also identify notable differences depending on the primary cancer histology as well as brain regions which do not conform to this relationship. Lung and breast cancers, in contrast to melanoma, frequently metastasize to the cerebellum, hinting at biological pathways of spread. Additionally, the deep brain structures are relatively spared from metastasis, regardless of primary cancer type. Leveraging this data, we propose a probabilistic brain metastasis risk model to enhance the therapeutic ratio of whole-brain radiotherapy by targeting high risk areas while preserving cortical and subcortical brain regions of functional significance and low metastasis risk, potentially reducing the cognitive side effects of therapy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Barrios & Evan Porter & Dante P. I. Capaldi & Taman Upadhaya & William C. Chen & Julian R. Perks & Aditya Apte & Michalis Aristophanous & Eve LoCastro & Dylan Hsu & Payton H. Stone & Javier E. V, 2025. "Multi-institutional atlas of brain metastases informs spatial modeling for precision imaging and personalized therapy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59584-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59584-7
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