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Updated: Dec 6, 2025
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Published on: July 31, 2017
Immunohistochemical expression of MGMT in Gliomas
1Department of Basic Sciences Pathology, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region- Iraq.
Abstract:
Glioma is one of the main tumors of the central nervous system occurring in the spinal cord or brain, and is the origin of glioma tumors. The most common site of glioma is the brain. Glioma accounts for 30% of all central nervous system tumors and 80% of malignant brain tumors. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene mutations have been identified in many human cancers including gliomas. This study aimed to evaluate the immune expression of MGMT in different gliomas and its relationship with different clinicopathological parameters. From January 2015 to January 2017, 97 cases of glioma were retrieved from the Rizgary Pathology Center in Erbil-Iraq. The tumors were typed and graded according to the 2007 World Health Organization Brain Tumor Classification. Immunohistochemical staining was done for MGMT using monoclonal Antibodies via the automated immunostainer technique. Positive MGMT immunoexpression was observed in 60 (61.9%) cases. Significantly high rates of MGMT immunoexpression were demonstrated among the 2 age groups: 45-54 years and 25-34 years (23.3% and 21.7% respectively). Most positive cases were observed among the supratentorial tumors (81.7%) and dominant grade IV gliomas (48.4%) with no significant association. Immunohistochemically, MGMT is frequently expressed in gliomas particularly in glioblastomas with bimodal age association.
Insights
O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is frequently expressed in gliomas, particularly glioblastomas. This study found a bimodal age association for MGMT immunoexpression in brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular pathology
- Cancer research
Background:
- Glioma, a primary central nervous system tumor, frequently originates in the brain.
- Gliomas constitute 30% of all central nervous system tumors and 80% of malignant brain tumors.
- O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene mutations are implicated in various human cancers, including gliomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immune expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in different glioma types.
- To explore the correlation between MGMT immunoexpression and clinicopathological parameters in glioma patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrieved 97 glioma cases from January 2015 to January 2017.
- Classified tumors according to the 2007 World Health Organization Brain Tumor Classification.
- Performed immunohistochemical staining for MGMT using monoclonal antibodies and an automated immunostainer.
Main Results:
- Positive MGMT immunoexpression was detected in 60 (61.9%) of the glioma cases.
- High rates of MGMT immunoexpression were observed in the 45-54 and 25-34 age groups (23.3% and 21.7%, respectively).
- MGMT was frequently expressed in supratentorial tumors (81.7%) and grade IV gliomas (48.4%), though associations were not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is commonly expressed in gliomas, especially glioblastomas.
- MGMT immunoexpression in gliomas shows a bimodal age distribution.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the prognostic and predictive roles of MGMT in gliomas.
