Analysis of a single nucleotide polymorphism in codon 388 of the FGFR4 gene in malignant gliomas

The FGFR4 codon 388 polymorphism (Arg388, Arg/Gly388 or Gly388) was determined in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), anaplastic astrocytomas (AA), diffuse astrocytomas (DA), and control muscles. Arg388 was rare in AA, GBM, muscles, and was absent in DA. The Arg/Gly388 and the Gly388 frequency was equal among GBM and controls. FGFR4 expression was not related to codon 388 in GBM, and no survival differences between Arg/Gly388 and Gly388 tumors were found. U87 cells (Arg/Gly388) did not show higher invasion than U138 cells (Gly388). This suggests that the FGFR4 codon 388 status does not play a major role in malignant gliomas.