MGMT promoter methylation status in clival chordoma

J Neurooncol. 2014 Jun;118(2):271-276. doi: 10.1007/s11060-014-1445-y. Epub 2014 Apr 26.

Abstract

Chordomas are rare, slow-growing neoplasms, characterized by locally aggressive growth patterns and high local recurrence rates. To the best of our knowledge, the MGMT promoter methylation status has not been studied in a population of patients with chordomas to determine if a biologic rationale exists to support the use of temozolomide. We here show for the first time that methylation of MGMT promoter is present in a significant portion or recurring clival chordomas; on the contrary in clival chordomas without recurrence MGMT promoter was always unmethylated (p = 0.0317). Although these observations need to be confirmed in a larger study population, our results (1) indicate that methylation of MGMT promoter is present in a significant portion of recurring chordomas, and (2) prompt further investigation into the potential role of temozolomide as an adjuvant treatment of these tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chordoma / genetics*
  • Chordoma / metabolism
  • Chordoma / surgery
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior* / metabolism
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior* / surgery
  • DNA Methylation*
  • DNA Modification Methylases / genetics*
  • DNA Modification Methylases / metabolism
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / genetics*
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Isocitrate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
  • IDH1 protein, human
  • DNA Modification Methylases
  • MGMT protein, human
  • DNA Repair Enzymes