Loss of NOTCH2 Positively Predicts Survival in Subgroups of Human Glial Brain Tumors
2007

NOTCH2 as a Survival Marker in Brain Tumors

Sample size: 144 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Boulay Jean-Louis, Miserez André R., Zweifel Christian, Sivasankaran Balasubramanian, Kana Veronika, Ghaffari Anthony, Luyken Cordelia, Sabel Michael, Zerrouqi Abdessamad, Wasner Morten, Meir Erwin Van, Tolnay Markus, Reifenberger Guido, Merlo Adrian

Primary Institution: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Hypothesis

Does the loss of NOTCH2 predict survival in glioma patients?

Conclusion

Loss of NOTCH2 is associated with better survival in certain subgroups of glioma patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • 81% of oligodendroglioma patients showed loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 1p.
  • The N2/N2N test distinguished oligodendrogliomas from glioblastomas with high accuracy.
  • Centromeric deletions in glioblastomas were linked to better survival outcomes.

Takeaway

If a part of a gene called NOTCH2 is missing, some brain tumor patients might live longer.

Methodology

Somatic deletion mapping was performed on tumor samples to analyze genetic alterations.

Limitations

The study had a low frequency of tumors with 1p centromeric loss, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

The study included 144 glioma patients, with a mix of oligodendrogliomas and glioblastomas.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0007

Statistical Significance

p=0.0007

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0000576

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