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The prognostic value of MGMT promoter methylation in Glioblastoma multiforme: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

The prognostic significance of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation on Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains controversial. A meta-analysis of published studies investigating the effects of MGMT promoter methylation on both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among GBM patients was performed. A total of 2,986 patients from 30 studies were included in the meta-analysis. In all, the frequency of MGMT promoter methylation was 44.27 %. Five studies undertook univariate analyses and nine undertook multivariate analyses of MGMT promoter methylation on PFS. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) estimate for PFS was 0.72 (95 % CI 0.55–0.95) by univariate analysis and 0.51 (95 % CI 0.38–0.69) by multivariate analysis. The effect of MGMT promoter methylation on OS was evaluated in 15 studies by univariate analysis and 14 studies by multivariate analysis. The combined HR was 0.67 (95 % CI 0.58–0.78) and 0.49 (95 % CI 0.38–0.64), respectively. For GBM patients treated with Alkylating agent, the meta-risk remained highly significant by both univariate (HR = 0.58; 95 % CI 0.42–0.79) and multivariate analysis (HR = 0.42; 95 % CI 0.29–0.60). This study showed that MGMT promoter methylation was associated with better PFS and OS in patients with GBM regardless of therapeutic intervention, and associated with longer OS in GBM patients treated with alkylating agents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forensic Medicine, Zun Yi Medical College, Zun Yi, 563003, People’s Republic of China

    Kui Zhang

  2. Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    Kui Zhang & Lin Zhang

  3. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao-qin Wang

  4. Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children’s Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China

    Bin Zhou & Lin Zhang

  5. Key Laboratory of Obstetric and Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China

    Bin Zhou & Lin Zhang

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  1. Kui Zhang
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  2. Xiao-qin Wang
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Correspondence to Lin Zhang.

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Kui Zhang, Xiao-qin Wang and Bin Zhou contributed equally to this work.

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Zhang, K., Wang, Xq., Zhou, B. et al. The prognostic value of MGMT promoter methylation in Glioblastoma multiforme: a meta-analysis. Familial Cancer 12, 449–458 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-013-9607-1

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