A Novel Methylation Signature Predicts Radiotherapy Sensitivity in Glioma

Abstract

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant cancer in the central nervous system, and radiotherapy is wildly applied in GBM treatment. However, the sensitivity of radiotherapy varies in different patients. In order to solve this clinical dilemma, a radiosensitivity prediction signature was constructed based on genomic methylation. Methods: In this study, a total of 1044 primary GBM samples with clinical and methylation microarray data were involved. LASSO-COX, GSVA, Kaplan-Meier survive curve and COX regression were performed in construction and verification of predictive models. R language was used as the main tool for statistical analysis and graphical work. Findings: Through the integration analysis of methylation and survival data in primary GBM, a novel prognostic and radio-sensitivity prediction signature was constructed. Interpretation: This signature was stable in prognosis prediction in TCGA and CGGA databases. The possible mechanism was also explored, this signature was closely related to DNA repair functions. Importantly, this signature could predict whether GBM patients could benefit from radiotherapy. In conclusion, our study built a radiosensitivity prediction signature for GBM patients based on five methylated probes with great potential for clinical application. Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81672479). Declaration of Interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest. Ethical Approval: This study was approved by Beijing Tiantan Hospital institutional review board (IRB).