Upregulation of miR-125b, miR-181d, and miR-221 Predicts Poor Prognosis in MGMT Promoter-Unmethylated Glioblastoma Patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic values of microRNAs (miRNAs) in glioblastoma, and to see if there is an association between miRNAs and MGMT promoter methylation status.

Methods: We collected paraffin blocks from resection specimens from 114 glioblastoma patients who had received temozolomide treatment and radiotherapy. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of five miRNAs.

The MGMT promoter single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1625649 had prognostic impact on patients with MGMT methylated glioblastoma.

Promoter methylation is the most significant mechanism to regulate O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) expression. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MGMT promoter region may also play a role. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of SNPs in the MGMT promoter region of glioblastoma.