Objective:

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and prevalent adult central nervous system (CNS) tumor. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) alterations are prognostic and diagnostic markers of GBM. Our study aims to investigate the association of EGFR alteration with changes in GBM patients’ overall survivability.

Background:

Although surgical removal of over 85% of the tumor does prolong survival, radio-chemo-therapy-resistant GBM relapse is common. IDH1 mutation, MGMT methylation status, TERT promoter mutation, and EGFR mutation are all prognostic and diagnostic markers of GBM. We aim to describe the relationship between EGFR mutation and overall patient survivability to address the therapeutic value of the molecular alteration.

Design/Methods:

cBioPortal genomic data analysis was used to retrieve genomic data and clinical attributes from 1,122 GBM patients. We performed a comparative study on EGFR-altered and non-altered patient groups, mutation and amplification frequency analysis, EGFR mutation analysis, and clinical attribute analysis.

Results:

The mutation and amplification frequency analysis showed that only the EGFR gene had higher amplification and mutation counts in the deceased group, indicating a notable association between EGFR alteration and decreased survivability. Mutation analysis identified the mechanism by which EGFR mutation altered signal transduction and cell proliferation, leading to uncontrolled cell division. A clinical attribute analysis on the relationship between TERT expression, EGFR alteration, and chromosome 7 gain/chromosome 10 loss (Chr 7 gain/Chr 10 loss) suggested the viability of targeting EGFR signaling for therapy. Genomic data analysis revealed a strong association between EGFR gene alteration and decreased survival rate.

Conclusions:

EGFR amplification and mutation significantly reduce GBM patient survival rate. Mutation position analysis and mutation count results further support the possibility that EGFR mutation may significantly influence overall survivability. We require further in vitro studies to observe the isolated effect of EGFR alteration on cancer cell proliferation and to determine EGFR viability as a therapeutic target for GBM.