Cell lines and immune classification of glioblastoma define patient's prognosis

Br J Cancer. 2019 Apr;120(8):806-814. doi: 10.1038/s41416-019-0404-y. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Abstract

Background: Prognostic markers for glioblastoma are lacking. Both intrinsic tumour characteristics and microenvironment could influence cancer prognostic. The aim of our study was to generate a pure glioblastoma cell lines and immune classification in order to decipher the respective role of glioblastoma cell and microenvironment on prognosis.

Methods: We worked on two large cohorts of patients suffering from glioblastoma (TCGA, n = 481 and Rembrandt, n = 180) for which clinical data, transcriptomic profiles and outcome were recorded. Transcriptomic profiles of 129 pure glioblastoma cell lines were clustered to generate a glioblastoma cell lines classification. Presence of subtypes of glioblastoma cell lines and immune cells was determined using deconvolution.

Results: Glioblastoma cell lines classification defined three new molecular groups called oncogenic, metabolic and neuronal communication enriched. Neuronal communication-enriched tumours were associated with poor prognosis in both cohorts. Immune cell infiltrate was more frequent in mesenchymal classical classification subgroup and metabolic-enriched tumours. A combination of age, glioblastoma cell lines classification and immune classification could be used to determine patient's outcome in both cohorts.

Conclusions: Our study shows that glioblastoma-bearing patients can be classified based on their age, glioblastoma cell lines classification and immune classification. The combination of these information improves the capacity to address prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / epidemiology
  • Glioblastoma / genetics*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Prognosis*
  • Transcriptome / genetics*
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics*

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins