Association between response to primary treatments and MGMT status in glioblastoma

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2008 Nov;8(11):1781-6. doi: 10.1586/14737140.8.11.1781.

Abstract

The median overall survival and, more importantly, the 2-year survival rate of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma are increased by the administration of combined temozolomide and radiotherapy, which has recently become the new standard of treatment in patients with a histological confirmation of diagnosis. Moreover, the assessment of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene promoter methylation has clarified the impact of this approach, and improved upon the interpretation of doubtful cases after concurrent radiotherapy/temozolomide treatment. Therefore, future strategies in the treatment of glioblastoma patients will include stratification for MGMT methylation status, and various approaches based on epigenetic features are currently under investigation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • DNA Methylation / genetics
  • DNA Modification Methylases / genetics
  • DNA Modification Methylases / metabolism*
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / genetics
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / metabolism*
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism*
  • Glioblastoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • DNA Modification Methylases
  • MGMT protein, human
  • DNA Repair Enzymes