NMDA Glutamate Receptor Expression Activity in Anaplastic Astrocytomas

Objectives . To study the relationship between the expression activity of NMDA glutamate receptors and the proliferative activity and genetic properties of anaplastic astrocytomas, as well as the survival of patients with this disease. Materials and methods . This task was addressed by comparing the expression activity of NMDA glutamate receptors – which have been least studied in this context – as detected by immunofluorescence and the polymerase chain reaction, with data from histological and molecular studies, the proliferative activity of neoplasms, and patient survival. Results . The expression activity of NMDA glutamate receptors was found to be higher in grade 3 astrocytomas not carrying mutations in the IDH1 and IDH2 genes. NMDA receptor expression activity was also found to correlate directly with proliferative activity in tumors. NMDA receptor expression activity had a significant impact on the prognosis of relapse-free survival in patients. Conclusions . This work provides the first demonstration that NMDA glutamate receptors have a significant role in the progression of diffuse astrocytomas, which can become the basis for the creation of new approaches to treatment and diagnosis.