The prognostic impact of TERT promoter mutations in glioblastomas is modified by the rs2853669 single nucleotide polymorphism

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Batista, R (Author) Other; Cruvinel Carloni, A (Author) Other; Vinagre, J (Author) Other; Peixoto, J (Author) Other; Catarino, TA (Author) Other; Campanella, NC (Author) Other; Menezes, W (Author) Other; Becker, AP (Author) Other; de Almeida, GC (Author) Other; Matsushita, MM (Author) Other; Clara, C (Author) Other; Neder, L (Author) Other; Viana Pereira, M (Author) Other; Honavar, M (Author) Other; Castro, LI (Author) Other; Lopes, JM (Author) FMUP; Carvalho, B (Author) FMUP; Vaz, RM (Author) Other; Maximo, V (Author) FMUP; Soares, P (Author) FMUP; Sobrinho Simoes, M (Author) Other; Reis, RM (Author) Other; Lima, J (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Cancer

Vol. 139

Pages: 414-423

ISSN: 0020-7136

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 44 Citations

Scopus - 46 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-M9T

DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30057

Abstract (EN): Human hotspot TERT promoter (TERTp) mutations have been reported in a wide range of tumours. Several studies have shown that TERTp mutations are associated with clinicopathological features; in some instances, TERTp mutations were considered as biomarkers of poor prognosis. The rs2853669 SNP, located in the TERT promoter region, was reported to modulate the increased TERT expression levels induced by the recurrent somatic mutations. In this study we aimed to determine the frequency and prognostic value of TERTp mutations and TERT rs2853669 SNP in 504 gliomas from Portuguese and Brazilian patients. TERTp mutations were detected in 47.8% of gliomas (216/452). Glioblastomas (GBM) exhibited the highest frequency of TERTp mutations (66.9%); in this glioma subtype, we found a significant association between TERTp mutations and poor prognosis, regardless of the population. Moreover, in a multivariate analysis, TERTp mutations were the only independent prognostic factor. Our data also showed that the poor prognosis conferred by TERTp mutations was restricted to GBM patients carrying the rs2853669 A allele and not in those carrying the G allele. In conclusion, the presence of TERTp mutations was associated with worse prognosis in GBM patients, although such association depended on the status of the rs2853669 SNP. The status of the rs2853669 SNP should be taken in consideration when assessing the prognostic value of TERTp mutations in GBM patients. TERTp mutations and the rs2853669 SNP can be used in the future as biomarkers of glioma prognosis. What's new? Cancer cells avoid senescence in part by reactivating telomerase (TERT), a ribonucleoprotein that replenishes shortening telomeres. Here, the authors discover a positive association between TERT promoter mutations and unfavorable prognosis in glioblastoma patients from Portuguese and Brazilian origin. This association was only observed in patients with a specific allelic background (AA) in a TERT polymorphism (rs2853669) recently linked to enhanced TERT mRNA levels. The authors recommend considering the allelic status of rs2853669 when assessing the prognostic value of TERT promoter mutations in glioblastoma patients.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10