RARβ gene methylation is a candidate for primary glioblastoma treatment planning

We screened RARβ methylation in primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and the results were evaluated based on the clinical data and treatment type.

The objective of this study was to find new areas for the usage of MS-HRM applications in the determination of methylation levels in primary GBM samples and it shows the association of RARβ methylation with the clinical outcome.

In our study, tumor samples were collected during surgical resection by the Department of Neurosurgery. The clinical and radiologic data was carefully reviewed, compared, and evaluated with the histological results. The methylation status of RARβ was determined by using MS-HRM.

RARβ gene methylation was detected in 24 out of 40 cases (60%), with different quantitative methylation levels. The mean survival time was 19 months form ethylated cases and 15 months for the non-methylated cases. The survival time of the patients who received treatment was 25 months and the survival time of the patients who received radiotherapy alone or where no treatment protocol applied was 15-20 months. Therefore, a significant difference in survival rates has been observed (P<0.05). This study indicates a potential prognostic value for GBM treatment planning.

Our study is the first study to investigate RARβ methylation in primary GBMs. We conclude that the RARβ gene could be a new prognostic and predictive candidate marker to designate the treatment protocol for primary GBMs.