Epigenetic Characteristics in Primary and Recurrent Glioblastoma-Influence on the Clinical Course.

Epigenetic tumor characteristics are in focus for glioblastoma prognosis. This raises the question if these characteristics present with stable expression during the progression of the disease, and if potential temporal instability might influence their prognostic value. A total of 44 patients suffering from glioblastoma who were treated for their primary and relapse tumors were included in the study. Tumor specimens from the initial and recurrent tumor resection were subjected to evaluation of Instability was observed in all examined epigenetic markers. Epigenetic characteristics may change during the course of glioblastoma disease. This may influence the prognostic value of derived molecular markers.