Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India
Abstract
Assessment of promoter methylation of the O 6 -methylguanine DNA
methyltransferase (MGMT) gene has recently gained importance in
molecular profiling of high-grade gliomas. It has emerged not only as
an important prognostic marker but also as a predictive marker for
response to temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Further, recent studies indicate that MGMT promoter methylation has
strong prognostic relevance even in anaplastic (grade III) gliomas,
irrespective of therapy (chemotherapy or radiotherapy). This article
provides an overview of its use as a predictive and prognostic
biomarker, as well as the methods employed for its assessment and use
in therapeutic decision making
