IDH1 mutations is prognostic marker for primary glioblastoma multiforme but MGMT hypermethylation is not prognostic for primary glioblastoma multiforme

• In primary GBMs IDH1 mutations were associated with younger age.
• MGMT methylation did not correlate with overall survival or younger age in primary GBMs.
• In primary GBMs no association was detected between IDH1 mutation and survival time.

PurposeTo establish the frequency of IDH1 mutations and MGMT methylation in primary glioblastomas.Experimental designWe screened primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in a population-based study for IDH1 mutations and MGMT methylation and correlated them with clinical data.ResultsIDH1 mutations were detected in 5 of 40 primary glioblastomas (12,5%). Primary GBM patients carrying IDH1 mutations were significantly younger, mean age of 41 ± 5.06 years, than patients with wild-type IDH1, mean age of 57 ± 2,29 years, p = 0.011. The mean survival time of all GBM patients with and without IDH1 mutations was 19 months (5 cases) and 16 months (35 cases), respectively (p > 0,05). MGMT methylation was detected in 13 of the 40 patients (32,5%). MGMT-promoter methylation did not correlate with overall survival (OS; p > 0,05).ConclusionIn summary, our study is the first study to investigate the IDH1 mutation status and MGMT methylation in primary GBMs in Turkish population and confirmed IDH1 mutation as a genetic marker for also primary GBMs. Our data are still insufficient for definite ascertainment; and our preliminary results suggest: IDH1 status shows an association with younger age and there is a lack of association between IDH1 mutation and survival time. Furthermore MGMT promoter methylation had no prognostic value and lower frequency in primary glioblastomas.