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Role of MGMT in Glioblastomas

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Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 1

Part of the book series: Tumors of the Central Nervous System ((TCNS,volume 1))

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Abstract

O 6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a key DNA repair enzyme that specifically removes promutagenic methyl group from the O 6 position of guanine. Active MGMT protects cells against carcinogenesis induced by alkylating agents that makes it an important drug resistance factor and target for biochemical modulation of drug resistance. Loss of MGMT activity due to MGMT promoter methylation is a common occurrence in malignant gliomas. MGMT promoter methylation has been detected in approximately 50% of glioblastomas and is associated with the presence of G: C to A: T transition mutations in TP53. In many clinical studies, both methylation of MGMT and low MGMT level have been correlated with better clinical response of glioblastoma to chemotherapy with alkylating agents. This review will focus on the role of MGMT in glioblastoma and will show the results of several studies concerning association of MGMT status and survival among glioblastoma patients treated with alkylating agents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Czechoslowacka 8/10 Str., 92-216, Lodz, Poland

    Izabela Zawlik

  2. Department of Pathology, Chair of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland

    Dorota Jesionek-Kupnicka

  3. Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Chair of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland

    Pawel P. Liberski

Authors
  1. Izabela Zawlik
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  2. Dorota Jesionek-Kupnicka
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  3. Pawel P. Liberski
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Izabela Zawlik .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Biological Sciences, Kean University, 1000 Moris Avenue, Union, 07083, New Jersey, USA

    M. A. Hayat

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Zawlik, I., Jesionek-Kupnicka, D., Liberski, P.P. (2011). Role of MGMT in Glioblastomas. In: Hayat, M. (eds) Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 1. Tumors of the Central Nervous System, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0344-5_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0344-5_14

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