Primer extension based quantitative polymerase chain reaction reveals consistent differences in the methylation status of the MGMT promoter in diffusely infiltrating gliomas (WHO grade II-IV) of adults

Vassella, Erik; Vajtai, Istvan; Bandi, Nora; Arnold, Marlene; Kocher, Verena; Mariani, Luigi (2011). Primer extension based quantitative polymerase chain reaction reveals consistent differences in the methylation status of the MGMT promoter in diffusely infiltrating gliomas (WHO grade II-IV) of adults. Journal of neuro-oncology, 104(1), pp. 293-303. Boston, Mass.: Springer 10.1007/s11060-010-0490-4

[img]
Preview
Text
11060_2010_Article_490.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Publisher holds Copyright.

Download (368kB) | Preview

Diffusely infiltrating gliomas (WHO grade II-IV) are the most common primary brain tumours in adults. These tumours are not amenable to cure by surgery alone, so suitable biomarkers for adjuvant modalities are required to guide therapeutic decision-making. Epigenetic silencing of the O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene by promoter methylation has been associated with longer survival of patients with high-grade gliomas who receive alkylating chemotherapy; and molecular testing for the methylation status of the MGMT promoter sequence is regarded as among the most relevant of such markers. We have developed a primer extension-based assay adapted to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues that enables quantitative assessment of the methylation status of the MGMT promoter. The assay is very sensitive, highly reproducible, and provides valid test results in nearly 100% of cases. Our results indicate that oligodendrogliomas, empirically known to have a relatively favourable prognosis, are also the most homogeneous entities in terms of MGMT promoter methylation. Conversely, astrocytomas, which are more prone to spontaneous progression to higher grade malignancy, are significantly more heterogeneous. In addition, we show that the degree of promoter methylation correlates with the prevalence of loss of heterozygosity on chromosome arm 1p in the oligodendroglioma group, but not the astrocytoma group. Our results may have potentially important implications for clinical molecular diagnosis.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Pathology

UniBE Contributor:

Vassella, Erik, Vajtai, Istvan, Bandi Hess, Nora, Kocher, Verena

ISSN:

0167-594X

Publisher:

Springer

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:08

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:00

Publisher DOI:

10.1007/s11060-010-0490-4

PubMed ID:

21181234

Web of Science ID:

000293648100031

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.703

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/703 (FactScience: 200419)

Actions (login required)

Edit item Edit item
Provide Feedback