The oncofetal protein IMP3: a novel grading tool and predictor of poor clinical outcome in human gliomas

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:413897. doi: 10.1155/2015/413897. Epub 2015 Jan 28.

Abstract

Morphologic criteria illustrated in WHO guidelines are the most significant prognostic factor in human gliomas, but novel biomarkers are needed to identify patients with a poorer outcome. The present study examined the expression of the oncofetal protein IMP3 in a series of 135 patients affected by high-grade (grade III and IV) gliomas, correlating the results with proliferative activity, molecular parameters, and clinical and follow-up data. Overall, IMP3 expression was higher in glioblastomas (68%) than in grade III tumors (20%, P < 0.0001), and IMP3-positive high-grade gliomas showed a shorter overall and disease-free survival than negative ones (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.006, resp.). IMP3 expression was significantly associated with the absence of mutations of IDH1 gene (P = 0.0001) and with the unmethylated phenotype of MGMT in high-grade gliomas (P = 0.004). High Ki67 levels were correlated with better prognosis in glioblastomas but IMP3 expression was not correlated with the proliferation index. These findings confirm the role of IMP3 as a marker of poor outcome, also in consideration of its association with IDH1 wild-type phenotype and MGMT unmethylated status. The data suggest that IMP3 staining could identify a subgroup of patients with poor prognosis and at risk of recurrence in high-grade gliomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Glioma / diagnosis*
  • Glioma / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
  • Prognosis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • IGF2BP3 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • oncofetal antigens