Chromosome 1p36 loss and COX-2 overexpression predict recurrence-free survival in completely removed meningioma grade I and II

Abstract Long follow-up studies show that the 10-year regrowth rate for grade I (benign) and II (atypical) meningiomas rises up to 15–25% and 30–35%, respectively, despite aggressive surgery. We investigated completely removed meningiomas grade I and II ( n  = 135) to identify and compare prognostic markers for tumour recurrence. We determined the immunohistochemical expression of 30 biomarkers, cell death assay by in situ hybridisation (ApopDETEKTM) and loss of chromosome 1p36 by FISH. The univariate statistical analysis showed that WHO grade, high cellularity, nuclear atypia, loss of 1p36 (determined in 20 out of 107 valid cases), expression of COX-2 (9 positive cases and 126 negative cases), Cyclin A, Topoisomerase IIα and MIB1/ki67 were associated with recurrence-free survival. The multivariate linkage analysis for the prognostic variables revealed that only 1p36 loss, expression of COX-2 and MIB1 were independent factors for predicting meningioma recurrence. The statistical analysis of COX-2 and 1p36 loss co-variation showed an antagonistic effect for both prognostic markers. Meningiomas with 1p36 loss showed significant increase of necrosis, nuclear atypia and increased expression of Cyclin E, PAKT, PDGF and p21. COX-2 overexpression was associated with increased VEGF, PDGF, HER2 and MDM2 expression. COX-2 inhibitors may be used as a putative chemopreventive treatment for meningioma recurrence in tumours with COX-2 over-expression.