IDH1 mutation is associated with lower expression of VEGF but not microvessel formation in glioblastoma multiforme
Abstract
Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most malignant primary brain tumor characterized by pathological vascularization. Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenases 1 and 2 (IDH1 and IDH2) were observed in GBM.
We aimed to assess the intra-tumor hypoxia, angiogenesis and microvessel formation in GBM and to find their associations with IDH1 mutation status and patients prognosis. Methods: 52 patients with a diagnosis of GBM were included into the study.
IDH1 R132H mutation was assessed by RT-PCR from FFPE tumor samples obtained during surgery. The expression of markers of hypoxia (HIF2α), angiogenesis (VEGF), tumor microvascularity (CD31, CD34, vWF, CD105), and proliferation (Ki-67) were assessed immunohistochemically (IHC).
IDH1 mutation and IHC markers were correlated with the patient survival. Results: 20 from 52 GBM tumor samples comprised IDH1 R132H mutation (38.5%).
The majority of mutated tumors were classified as secondary glioblastomas (89.9%). Patients with IDH1 mutated tumors experienced better progression-free survival (P = 0.037) as well as overall survival (P = 0.035) compared with wild type tumors.
The significantly lower expression of VEGF was observed in GBM with IDH1 mutation than in wild type tumors (P = 0.01). No such association was found for microvascular markers.
The increased expression of newly-formed microvessels (ratio CD105/CD31) in tumor samples was associated with worse patient's progression-free survival (P = 0.026). Summary: No increase in HIF/VEGF-mediated angiogenesis was observed in IDH1-mutated GBM compared with IDH1 wild type tumors.
The histological assessment of the portion of newly-formed microvessels in tumor tissue can be used for the prediction of GBM patient's prognosis.