RB1-promoter methylation in glioblastoma: A rare event in glioblastoma

The retinoblastoma gene (RB1) is a tumor suppressor gene that serves a key role in the development of numerous tumor diseases that can be downregulated by DNA methylation within its promoter region. The present study analyzed the methylation status of the RB1 promoter of 85 glioblastomas to assess its role in this tumor. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, RB1 promoter methylation was evaluated using methylation-specific PCR with subsequent evaluation of the results via gel electrophoresis using ethidium bromide. Of the 85 samples analyzed, only one demonstrated RB1-promoter methylation. While there are contradictory results on this matter in the literature, this study is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest on this topic to date as well as the first to use the WHO 2016 classification. The results of the present indicated that the RB1 promoter methylation does not serve a role in the development and progression of glioblastoma.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the methylation status of the RB1 promoter in 85 glioblastomas and found only one case with RB1 promoter methylation. Despite contradictory results in the literature, this is the largest study on this topic to date and the first to use the WHO 2016 classification, suggesting that RB1 promoter methylation does not play a role in the development and progression of glioblastoma.