Differential diagnosis of high-grade astrocytic gliomas based on CD44, SOX2, and CIRBP gene expression analysis

Drozd SF, Kalennik OV, Lukash DS, Sliman YaA, Samoylenkova NS, Savchenko EA, Pavlova GV. Differential diagnosis of high-grade astrocytic gliomas based on CD44, SOX2, and CIRBP gene expression analysis. Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery. 2025;89(6‑2):14‑20. (In Russ., In Engl.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/neiro20258906214

Подписка 2025 Журнал «Вопросы нейрохирургии» имени Н.Н. Бурденко (Burdenko's Journal of Neurosurgery)

Использование инфографики авторами научных работ

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OBJECTIVE

To develop an effective method for differentiating high-grade gliomas based on marker gene expression analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed expression of 31 marker genes in high-grade glioma samples (Grade III and IV) diagnosed with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutated astrocytoma and IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used. Spearman rank correlation method was applied to select genes whose expression was most closely related to glioma grade. Gene expression and their ratios were compared in groups of Grade III and IV malignant gliomas using the Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS

Expression ratios of three genes (CD44, CIRBP, and SOX2) were selected to assess malignancy grade. Expression ratios for these genes distinguishes IDH wild-type glioblastomas from IDH-mutated astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. They also have a stronger correlation with glioma grade than expression of each individual marker gene.

CONCLUSION

Original method based on marker gene expression ratios does not replace standard diagnostic protocols, but may be an additional tool for optimized diagnostic process. This approach will be valuable to minimize errors and personalize therapeutic strategies. The last one is critical for prognosis.

Keywords:

glioblastoma

astrocytoma

gene expression

CD44

CIRBP

SOX2

Authors:

Drozd S.F.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center

ORCID: 0000-0001-7496-4310

Kalennik O.V.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center

ORCID: 0000-0002-6685-8056

Lukash D.S.

Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology

ORCID: 0000-0002-6414-7701

Sliman Ya.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center;
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University)

ORCID: 0009-0008-1266-5145

Samoylenkova N.S.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center

ORCID: 0000-0002-5167-0253

Savchenko E.A.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center

ORCID: 0000-0003-1433-5533

Pavlova G.V.

Burdenko Neurosurgical Center;
Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences

SPIN RSCI: 4633-8339
Scopus AuthorID: 7005650683
ORCID: 0000-0002-6885-6601

Received:

16.10.2025

Accepted:

26.11.2025

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