Pyrosequencing Analysis of MGMT Promoter Methylation in Meningioma.

BACKGROUND: Methylation of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter is a well-established predictor of response to the DNA-alkylating agent temozolomide in patients with glioblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pyrosequencing analysis was used to determine the MGMT promoter methylation status in 61 meningiomas, to clarify whether it might have a predictive role. RESULTS: Only two tumors (3%) had a mean methylation frequency higher than the cut-off value of 10% for the four CpG sites examined. CONCLUSION: The methylation of the MGMT promoter is uncommon, or occurs at a low frequency in meningiomas. There is no convincing rationale to test such tumors for their MGMT methylation status in a clinical setting.