Premium
Correlation of ganglioside patterns of primary brain tumors with survival
Author(s) -
Sung ChingChing,
Pearl Dennis K.,
Coons Stephen W.,
Scheithauer Bernd W.,
Johnson Peter C.,
Zheng Ming,
Yates Allan J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19950201)75:3<851::aid-cncr2820750317>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - ganglioside , medicine , grading (engineering) , proportional hazards model , brain tumor , survival analysis , pathology , log rank test , gastroenterology , oncology , biology , ecology , biochemistry
Background . Classification/grading schemes for brain tumors are based mainly on histologic examinations, but these have major limitations, which has led to a search for more objective prognostic markers. Ganglio‐sides have several biologic effects relevant to tumors, and ganglioside compositions of primary brain tumors correlate with diagnosis. This led to the authors' hypothesis that ganglioside patterns of brain tumors might be useful as prognostic indicators. Methods . Gangliosides in primary brain tumors of different histologic types from 84 patients were analyzed. Specific ganglioside patterns and several other relevant variables were examined for associations with survival using a Cox proportional hazards model. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves were analyzed using the log‐rank test. Results . Patients in whom less than 30% of total tumor gangliosides consisted of 1b pathway gangliosides (GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b) had significantly higher risk ratios than those with more than 30% 1b gangliosides ( P ≈ 0.03). The presence of 6′‐LM1 (NeuAc α2 → 6 Gal β1 → 4 Glc‐NAc β1 → 3 Gal β1 → 1 Cer was also associated with a higher risk ratio ( P ≈ 0.007). Combinations of 1b gangliosides and 6′‐LM1 identified three groups of patients regardless of histologic diagnosis. Group A, with less than 30% 1b and the presence of 6′‐LM1, had a median survival time of 331 days. Group B, with less than 30% 1b but no 6′‐LM1, had a median survival time of more than 698 days. Group C, with more than 30% 1b had a median survival time of more than 776 days. Conclusions . The correlation of ganglioside patterns with survival in this initial investigation suggests the potential of 1b gangliosides and 6′‐LM1 to be used as prognostic indicators. Continuing research is being conducted to assess this possibility prospectively. Cancer 1995; 75: 851‐9.