Histological indicators of prognosis in glioblastomas: retinoblastoma protein expression and oligodendroglial differentiation indicate improved survival.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the potential prognostic significance of a range of molecular and morphological parameters in glioblastomas that can be applied in the setting of a routine diagnostic neuropathology laboratory.


RESULTS
A consecutive series of 107 adult glioblastomas were studied. Retinoblastoma and deleted-in-colon cancer (DCC) protein expression were assessed using immunocytochemistry and chromosome 10 loss by in-situ hybridization. Loss of retinoblastoma expression was associated with a worse outcome, which appeared to be independent of age. There was no significant association between chromosome 10 loss or DCC protein expression and survival. Survival was significantly increased in the 5% of patients whose tumours had focal morphological features suggesting oligodendroglial differentiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Glioblastomas containing areas of oligodendroglial differentiation or showing widespread immunocytochemical expression of retinoblastoma protein have a better prognosis than those without these features.
Hilton
D A
DA
Department of Histopathology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. david.hilton@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
Penney
M
M
Pobereskin
L
L
Sanders
H
H
Love
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002879:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10 / Q000235:genetics; D000075389:DCC Receptor; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D008875:Middle Aged; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D000075389:DCC Receptor; C501909:DCC protein, human; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins