Genes Predicting Survival of Chordoma Patients

Purpose A chordoma is a slow-growing, invasive neoplasm in the neuraxis, thought to arise from notochordal cells. At 10-year follow-up, the average survival rate is 50%, though the interindividual prognosis varies substantially. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the genes and proteins expressed in these tumors and their prognostic value, as to facilitate prognostication for chordoma patients. Methods A systematic search of clinical studies that investigated expressed factors related to chordoma survival was performed in PubMed. Data extraction included RNA and protein expression data and prognostic value (in terms of overall survival, progression free survival, disease free survival and recurrence free survival), both by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Seventy-eight original studies, collectively evaluating 134 expressed factors, were included in this review. By univariate analysis 96, and by multivariate analysis 32 of these molecular factors had a predictive value for patient survival. Of those studied in multivariate analyses, 26 factors had a negative effect while six had a positive effect on patient survival. Conclusions Identification of molecular factors that are associated with survival contributes towards better prognostication of chordoma patients. Given chordoma’s rarity, oftentimes only univariate analyses can be performed. Robust multivariate analyses are scarcer but provide independently significant prognostic factors. The data presented in this review aids in prognostication for the individual patient and facilitates the development of targeted therapies.