Candidate genes for the recurrence of glioblastoma multiforme identified by microarray

ABSTRACT: Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and most lethal primary malignant brain tumor, correlated with survival rates of less than one year from the time of diagnosis. Current surgical procedure attempts to remove the bulk of the tumor mass, whereas GBM frequently recurs within 1-3cm from the primary tumor resection site. Molecular mechanisms involved in the recurrence of the tumor are still poorly understood. The aim of the study was to define the molecular signature of GBM surrounding white matter (WM) in order to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved with tumor relapse. Material & Methods: Human GBM tumor bulk and surrounding tissue (1-3cm from the border of the tumor) were obtained from five patients who underwent total tumour resection, while normal white matter was harvested from patients who underwent surgical procedure for nonmalignant pathologies. Samples were processed for hybridization on the Affymetrix Human U133A arrays and data were examined with the GeneSpring analysis software. Results: Gene expression analysis of the samples was done in 2 independent steps. First, molecular profiling comparison of GBM surrounding WM and normal WM resulted in 59 genes differentially expressed between both tissues. Among these, numerous genes expressed by mature neural cells were down-regulated in GBM surrounding WM, while gene products supporting invasion were overexpressed. Moreover, KLRC1, a specific natural killer receptor naturally involved in the activation of antitumoral cells was drastically repressed in GBM surrounding WM, suggesting that the antitumoral immune surveillance is compromised in this tissue. Second, we focused our study on genes specifically regulated in GBM periphery respectively to GBM core. The highest up-regulated gene in GBM surrounding tissue encodes for DTX4, a regulator of NOTCH signalling pathway described for its key role in maintaining neural progenitors in an uncommitted state. Conclusion: This study revealed unique molecular characteristics of GBM surrounding tissue, showing the dysregulation of genes involved in immune surveillance along with genes associated to stemness maintenance. All together, these data may help to understand the molecular mechanisms associated with GBM recurrence

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE13276 | GEO | 2009/06/15

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA109595

REPOSITORIES: GEO