MGMT promoter methylation as a molecular biomarker in neuro-oncology: current practices, challenges, and future directions.

IF 3.4 2区医学 Q2 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Journal of Neuro-Oncology Pub Date : 2026-10-13 DOI:10.1007/s11060-026-05821-y

Truman J Do, Shameel Shafqat, Sani H Kizilbash, Cristiane M Ida

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: MGMT promoter methylation (MGMTpm) is a well-established molecular biomarker in neuro-oncology. We review current practices, challenges, and future directions for MGMTpm as a biomarker in central nervous system (CNS) tumors.

Methods: The literature on MGMT function, and MGMTpm clinical significance and testing in CNS tumors was reviewed.

Results: We discuss the biological role of MGMT in DNA repair and the mechanisms by which MGMTpm leads to increased tumor sensitivity to alkylating agents. We summarize the clinical significance of MGMTpm in glioblastoma and its emerging relevance in other CNS tumors. Testing practices using methylation-specific PCR, pyrosequencing, and genome-wide methylation array-based approaches are discussed, along with challenges related to testing variability and "gray-zone" methylation, and emerging technologies such as nanopore sequencing.

Conclusions: Despite ongoing technical and interpretative challenges, MGMTpm remains a robust and clinically valuable biomarker in neuro-oncology.

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来源期刊

Journal of Neuro-Oncology 医学-临床神经学

CiteScore

6.60

自引率

7.70%

发文量

277

审稿时长

3.3 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Neuro-Oncology is a multi-disciplinary journal encompassing basic, applied, and clinical investigations in all research areas as they relate to cancer and the central nervous system. It provides a single forum for communication among neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiotherapists, medical oncologists, neuropathologists, neurodiagnosticians, and laboratory-based oncologists conducting relevant research. The Journal of Neuro-Oncology does not seek to isolate the field, but rather to focus the efforts of many disciplines in one publication through a format which pulls together these diverse interests. More than any other field of oncology, cancer of the central nervous system requires multi-disciplinary approaches. To alleviate having to scan dozens of journals of cell biology, pathology, laboratory and clinical endeavours, JNO is a periodical in which current, high-quality, relevant research in all aspects of neuro-oncology may be found.