Aims: To compare 1p/19q codeletion, MGMT promoter methylation, and IDH mutation status in stereotactic biopsy and open craniotomy specimens.
Clinical rationale: The latest WHO classification of gliomas requires assessment of the expression of molecular markers. Samples can be obtained for molecular assays via open craniotomy or molecular stereotactic biopsy (MSB). However, there is uncertainty as to whether MSB is representative of the entire tumour, and therefore how reliable it is for treatment planning.
Patients and methods: We examined 11 patients diagnosed with brain tumours suspicious of glioma who underwent open craniotomy after stereotactic biopsy and in whom multiple biomarkers were assessed in both sets of samples by methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Institutional Review Board ethical approval was granted (KB 694/2018).
Results: The initial histopathological grade as determined by stereotactic biopsy was the same as in the samples obtained by open surgery. Further, the marker profile used here was valid in both high- and low-grade gliomas.
Conclusion and clinical implication: MSB is a reliable way to obtain material for precision medicine approaches.
Keywords: 1p/19q codeletion; IDH; MGMT; glioma; methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification; stereotactic biopsy.