Expression of Bmi-1 in Pediatric Brain Tumors as a New Independent Prognostic Marker of Patient Survival

Abstract EN

|Objectives.

The B-cell-specific moloney leukemia virus insertion site 1 (the Bmi-1) gene is an important member in the family of polycomb group (PcG) genes that plays an oncogenic role in several types of cancer, but it’s expression as a prognostic marker in pediatric brain tumors has not been indicated.

Materials and Methods.

The Bmi-1 gene expression, clinic pathological and prognostic significance in a series of pediatric brain tumors were examined by real-time PCR method in 56 pediatric brain tumors.

Results.

The Bmi-1 gene expression in various types of pediatric brain tumors compared to that in normal brain tissue was 4.85-fold.

The relative expression varied from 8.64-fold in ependymomas to 2.89-fold in other types.

Expression level in high-grade tumors compared to that in low-grade tumors was 2.5 times.

In univariate survival analysis of the pediatric brain tumors, a significant association of high expression of the Bmi-1 with patient survival was demonstrated.

In multivariate analysis, the Bmi-1 high expression provided significant independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion.

Increased expression of the Bmi-1 in pediatric brain tumors may be important in the acquisition of an aggressive phenotype.

In addition, it can be used as a strong and independent molecular marker of prognosis in pediatric brain tumors.