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Updated: Sep 25, 2025
Evaluation of Biomarkers in Glioma by Immunohistochemistry on Paraffin-Embedded 3D Glioma Neurosphere Cultures
Published on: January 9, 2019
Immunohistochemical assessment of cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) and its correlation with clinicopathological
Nader Choucair1, Zahraa Saker1, Hassane Kheir Eddine1
1Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Background:
Glioma is the most frequent primary brain tumor and one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. Recently, numerous studies have focused on cannabinoids as a new therapeutic approach due to their antineoplastic effects through activation of the cannabinoid receptors. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical expression level of cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1R) in human glioma samples and evaluate its clinicopathologic significance.
Materials And Methods:
We analyzed the expression of CB1R in 61 paraffin-embedded glioma and 4 normal brain tissues using automated immunohistochemical assay. CB1R expression was categorized into high versus low expression levels. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the association between CB1R and phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) expression levels and the clinicopathologic features of glioma.
Results:
Our results showed that CB1R immunopositivity was seen in 59 of 61 cases (96.7%). CB1R was down-expressed in glioma compared to normal brain tissues. However, CB1R expression was not correlated with clinicopathological parameters except for p-ERK.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate the down-expression of CB1R in glioma tissues when compared to non-cancerous brain tissues. This change in CB1R expression in gliomas should be further tested regardless of the clinicopathological findings to provide a therapeutic advantage in glioma patients.
Insights
Cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1R) are down-expressed in glioma brain tumors compared to normal tissue. This finding may offer new therapeutic strategies for glioma patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Glioma is a frequent and aggressive primary brain tumor.
- Cannabinoids show antineoplastic effects via cannabinoid receptors.
- Cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1R) are investigated for therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of CB1R in human glioma.
- To evaluate the clinicopathologic significance of CB1R expression in glioma.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed CB1R expression in 61 glioma and 4 normal brain tissues using automated immunohistochemistry.
- Categorized CB1R expression as high or low.
- Assessed associations between CB1R, p-ERK, and clinicopathologic features.
Main Results:
- CB1R immunopositivity observed in 96.7% of glioma cases.
- CB1R was down-expressed in glioma compared to normal brain tissues.
- CB1R expression did not correlate with clinicopathologic parameters, except for p-ERK.
Conclusions:
- Glioma tissues exhibit down-regulated CB1R expression compared to non-cancerous brain tissues.
- Further investigation of CB1R expression changes in glioma is warranted for therapeutic development.
