Prognostic Factors for Survival in Glioblastoma: A Retrospective Analysis Focused on the Role of Hemoglobin

Background: Although several prognostic factors for survival have been identified in glioblastoma, there are numerous other potential markers (such as hemoglobin) whose role has not yet been confirmed. The aim of this study was to evaluate a wide range of potential prognostic factors, including HIF-1α and hemoglobin levels, for survival in glioblastoma. A secondary aim was to determine whether hemoglobin levels were associated with HIF-1α expression. Methods: A retrospective study of 136 patients treated for glioblastoma at our institution between 2012 and 2021 was performed. Cox univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated. In addition, bivariate non-parametric correlation analyses were performed for key variables. Results: Median survival was 11.9 months (range: 0-119.4). According to the univariate analysis, 13 variables were significantly associated with survival: age, performance status, extent of surgery, tumor depth, tumor size, epilepsy, postoperative chemoradiotherapy, IDH mutations, CD44, HIF-1α, HIF-1β, vimentin, and PDFGR. According to the multivariate regression analysis, only four variables remained significantly associated with survival: age, extent of surgery, epilepsy, and HIF-1α expression. No significant association was observed between hemoglobin levels (low <120 g/L in females or <140 g/L in males vs. high ≥120 or ≥140 g/L) and survival or HIF-1α/HIF-1β expression. Conclusions: In this retrospective study of patients with glioblastoma, four variables-age, extent of surgery, HIF-1α expression, and epilepsy-were significant prognostic factors for survival. Hemoglobin levels were not significantly associated with survival or HIF-1α expression. Although hypoxia is a well-recognized component of the glioblastoma microenvironment, more research is needed to understand the pathogenesis of onset tumor hypoxia and treatment implication.