Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
Digital Spatial Profiling for Characterization of the Microenvironment in Adult-Type Diffusely Infiltrating Glioma
Published on: September 13, 2022
Apparent diffusion coefficient obtained by magnetic resonance imaging as a prognostic marker in glioblastomas:
Andrea Romano1, L F Calabria, F Tavanti
1NESMOS, Department of Neuroradiology, S. Andrea Hospital, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy. andrea.romano@uniroma1.it
Objective:
To evaluate whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values can predict the status of MGMT of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and correlate with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
Methods:
This retrospective study included 47 patients with pathologically proven glioblastoma. All of them underwent MR DWI study before surgery (mean time 1 week) and the status of methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation was searched for. Minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were evaluated. OS and PSF parameters were calculated, and Student's t-test, Kaplan-Meier curves, linear and Cox regression were performed.
Results:
Twenty-five patients showed positive methylation of the MGMT promoter. Patients showing MGMT promoter methylation had higher minimum ADC values, and they survived longer than those without MGMT promoter methylation. The median ADCmin value of 0.80 represents the cutoff value able to distinguish between methylated and un-methylated patients. Patients showing minimum ADC values higher than 0.80 survived longer than patients with minimum ADC values lower than 0.80. A linear correlation between minimum ADC values vs. the OS and PFS was observed.
Conclusions:
Minimum ADC values in glioblastoma multiforme could be used as a preoperative parameter to estimate the status of MGMT promoter methylation and the survival of patients.
Insights
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values can predict methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Higher ADC values correlate with MGMT methylation and improved patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor.
- MGMT promoter methylation is a key predictor of treatment response and survival in GBM patients.
- Non-invasive methods to predict MGMT status are highly desirable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for MGMT promoter methylation status in GBM.
- To assess the correlation between ADC values and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in GBM patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 47 pathologically confirmed GBM patients.
- Preoperative MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to obtain minimum ADC values.
- MGMT promoter methylation status determined, and OS/PFS calculated.
- Statistical analysis including t-test, Kaplan-Meier curves, and regression models.
Main Results:
- Twenty-five patients (53%) had MGMT promoter methylation.
- Patients with MGMT methylation exhibited higher minimum ADC values (median ADCmin = 0.80).
- Higher minimum ADC values were significantly associated with longer OS and PFS.
Conclusions:
- Minimum ADC values can serve as a preoperative imaging biomarker for predicting MGMT promoter methylation status in GBM.
- ADC values are a promising non-invasive tool to estimate patient survival outcomes in GBM.
