Molecular Methods for Detection of Tumor Markers in Glioblastomas
M. Beckner, M. Nordberg
2011
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Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: ENO1 is a promising tumor marker in glioblastomas, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) can effectively detect associated genes for potential suppressible treatment targets.
Abstract
Glioblastoma (grade IV/IV astrocytoma), the most malignant type of brain tumor, occurs in all age groups with the highest incidence in older patients. Novel therapeutic strategies and molecular assays to follow treatments of suppressible targets are urgently needed. Surveys of large numbers of genes in the initial phase of tumor marker identification are currently being performed in multi-center studies. Queries of the results in national databases, such as the Respository of Molecular Brain Neoplasia Database (REMBRANDT) can yield candidate tumor markers, such as those involved with upregulated glycolysis. We found that ENO1, encoding enolase 1, emerged as a tumor marker in glioblastomas. Although treatments directed at glycolytic enzymes, such as enolase, are not technically feasible, ENO1 can be used to identify associated genes that are feasible targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) provides the sensitivity required to detect ENO1-associated tumor markers that can serve as suppressible treatment targets. The sensitivity of RQ-PCR is also ideal for monitoring treatment response to successful cancer drugs that are developed for molecular targets. This approach to tumor marker discovery in glioblastomas is described.