Molecular Investigation of Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Gene (IDH) Mutations in Gliomas: First Report of IDH2 Mutations in Indian Patients

Recent genome wide sequencing has identified mutations in IDH1/IDH2 predominantly in grade II-III gliomasand secondary glioblastomas which are associated with favorable clinical outcome. These mutations have becomemolecular markers of significant diagnostic and prognostic relevance in the assessment of human gliomas. In thecurrent study we evaluated IDH1 (R132) and IDH2 (R172) in 32 gliomas of various grades and tumor subtypes.Sequencing analysis revealed R132H mutations in 18.7% tumors, while none of the cases showed IDH2 (R172)mutations. The frequency of IDH1 mutations was higher in females (21.4%) than males (11.1%), and it wassignificantly higher in younger patients. Histological analyses demonstrated presence of necrosis and microvascular proliferation in 69% and 75% respectively. Interestingly, IDH1 mutations were predominantly presentin non-necrotic tumors as well as in cases showing microvascular proliferation. Of the six IDH1 positive cases,three were glioblastomas (IV), and one each were anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (III), anaplastic oligodendrogliomaIII (n=1) and diffuse astrocytoma. In conclusion, IDH1 mutations are quite frequent in Indian glioma patientswhile IDH2 mutations are not observed. Since IDH mutations are associated with good prognosis, their use inroutine clinical practice will enable better risk stratification and management of glioma patients.