Clinicopathological features for epithelioid glioblastoma: A newly defined tumor by the 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System

Abstract

To retrospectively summarize the clinicopathological features of epithelioid glioblastoma (Ep-GBM) and to explore new treatment for Ep-GBM. Methods: The clinical data of 13 patients with Ep-GBM, who were treated in our department from March 2016 to July 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. The clinicopathological features were summarized and the efficacy was evaluated. Results: The positive rate of BRAFV600E mutant and INI-1 was 76.9% (10/13) and 80% (8/10), respectively, while the median Ki-67 index was 30%. Meningeal metastases occurred in 9 cases (69.7%) during the course. The median follow-up time was 12 (6-25) months, and the median progression-free time was 8.6 (2.2-16.5) months. Three patients died and the 1-year overall survival rate was 54%. Conclusion: Ep-GBM has a high degree of malignancy and is prone to spread to leptomeninges. INI-1 expression and BRAFV600E mutation are common for Ep-GBM. BRAF inhibitor might be a potential therapeutic drug for it.