OLIG2 expression level could be used as an independent prognostic factor for patients with cerebellar Glioblastoma (cGBM)

Abstract

Objectives: The incidence of cerebellar Glioblastoma Multiforme (cGBM) is rare. Database like TCGA have not distinguish cGBM from GBM, our knowledge on cGBM gene expression characteristics is limited. The expression status of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) and its clinical significance in cGBM is still unclear.

Methods: The clinical data and tissue specimens of 73 cGBM patients were retrospectively studied. The association between OLIG2 expression level and the demographic characteristics of cGBM patients was identified by the Chi-Square test. The survival curves were drawn by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The independent prognostic factors was calculated according to Cox regression analysis.

Results: The OLIG2 high expression was observed in about 57.5% (42/73) of the cGBM patients. Patients with high OLIG2 expression levels had a higher alive ratio at the end of follow-up (alive ratio: 70.6% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.04). The median survival time was 21 months and 13 months for high and low expression of OLIG2 (p < 0 .05). Univariate analysis and Multivariate analysis indicated that EOR (HR = 3.89, 95% CI 1.23‒12.26, p = 0.02), low OLIG2 expression (HR = 5.26, 95% CI 1.13‒24.59, p = 0.04), and without adjuvant therapy (HR = 4.95, 95% CI 1.22‒20.00, p = 0.03) were independent risk factors for the OS of cGBM patients.

Conclusion: High expression level of OLIG2 could be used as an independent favorable prognosis indicator in cGBM patients and be recognized as a characteristic biomarker of cGBM.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Cerebellar Glioblastoma Multiforme; Molecular pathology; OLIG2.