Immunophenotypic signature of primary glioblastoma multiforme: A case of extended progression free survival

Glioblastoma-multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive glial tumor, has a worldwide age-adjusted incidence ranging from 0.59-3.69/100000 persons. Despite current multimodal-treatment approach, median-survival time and progression-free survival (PFS) remains short. Glioblastomas display a variety of molecular alterations, which necessitates determining which of these have a prognostic significance. This is a case of a 45-year-old patient who presented with progressive slurring of speech and features of raised intracranial pressure. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a large heterogeneously enhancing lesion in the left front-temporal-perisylvian region with solid, cystic areas, suggestive of malignant glioma. Partial tumor-excision was followed by concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. Histopathologically, the tumor was astrocytoma grade-IV. Patient had an extended PFS of 12 mo, with an overall survival of 26 mo. Primary-GBM was confirmed using molecular markers and the immunophenotypic signature was defined by evaluating systemic expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase, interleukin-6, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, human chitinase-3-like-protein-1 (YKL-40) and high mobility group-A1. Current findings suggest that this signature can identify worst outcomes, independent of clinical criteria.