[Gene MGMT and oligodendrogliomas. Fundamental data and short review of the literature]

Neurochirurgie. 2005 Sep;51(3-4 Pt 2):269-72. doi: 10.1016/s0028-3770(05)83488-5.
[Article in French]

Abstract

MGMT (O6 methyl guanine methyl transferase) is a gene involved in DNA repair. Its mechanism of action is to remove alkyl groups created by alkylating chemotherapy and therefore induces chemoresistances. Recent studies show that this gene expression seems to be related to the promoter's methylation, which could predict a possible chemosensitivity. The study of MGMT could be of some therapeutic and prognostic interest. Few series of oligodendrogliomas have been published and their results appear to be controversial. This is probably due to both tumour heterogeneity and multiple parameters associated with chemosensitivity. To date, it thus appears difficult to choose the adjuvant treatment according to the sole status of MGMT.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • DNA Methylation
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Humans
  • O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Oligodendroglioma / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics

Substances

  • O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase