MGMT promoter methylation status in brain metastases from colorectal cancer and corresponding primary tumors.

Background: Brain metastases (BM) from colorectal cancer are usually associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate MGMT promoter methylation in BM and their corresponding primary colorectal cancer tumors.

Materials & Methods: MGMT promoter methylation status was assessed by pyrosequencing in 53 consecutive patients resected for BM. A concordance analysis between BM and matched primary tumor was performed in 39 cases.

Results: MGMT methylation was found in 34 (64.2%) BM and in 25 corresponding primary tumors (64.1%). Median survival after neurosurgery was independent from MGMT promoter methylation (163 days for those with methylated MGMT versus 193 days for the unmethylated).

Conclusion: Epigenetic MGMT promoter methylation was common and the concordance between primary and secondary lesions was high.