Surreal illustration of ANGPTL3 protein structures intertwined within a human brain.

Decoding Glioblastoma: Can ANGPTL3 Levels Predict Survival?

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 3 min read.

"A groundbreaking study explores the role of Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) in glioblastoma, offering new insights into prognosis and potential therapeutic targets."

Glioblastoma, the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, remains a formidable challenge in oncology. Despite standard treatments involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the median survival rate is only around 14.6 months. The need for innovative approaches to predict and improve patient outcomes is critical.

In a recent study, researchers investigated the role of Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) in glioblastoma. ANGPTL3, a member of the angiopoietin-like family, is known to be involved in angiogenesis and tumor development in other cancers. However, its specific role in glioblastoma has been unclear.

The study aimed to determine if ANGPTL3 protein expression levels in glioblastoma tumors correlate with clinicopathological factors and patient prognosis. By examining ANGPTL3 expression using immunohistochemistry, researchers hoped to identify a new predictive marker for glioblastoma survival.

ANGPTL3: A Potential Prognostic Indicator in Glioblastoma?

Surreal illustration of ANGPTL3 protein structures intertwined within a human brain.

The research team analyzed tissue samples from 57 patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression levels of ANGPTL3, EGFR, and VEGFR in tumor cells. The study revealed that 57.9% of cases showed strong immunostaining for ANGPTL3 proteins. However, no significant correlation was found between ANGPTL3 expression and the proangiogenic factors EGFR or VEGFR.

One of the most striking findings was the significant difference in survival times based on ANGPTL3 expression levels. Patients with high or moderate ANGPTL3 expression had a median survival time of only 6.3 months, compared to 13.8 months for those with low or negative expression. This difference highlights the potential of ANGPTL3 as a prognostic marker.

Study Population: 57 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Methodology: Immunohistochemistry to evaluate ANGPTL3, EGFR, and VEGFR expression.
Key Finding: High/moderate ANGPTL3 expression linked to shorter survival times.
Statistical Analysis: Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses.

To confirm these findings, overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, which further validated the significant difference in survival based on ANGPTL3 expression (P=0.0045, Breslow test). This suggests that ANGPTL3 could be an independent predictive factor in glioblastoma.

Future Implications and Therapeutic Potential

This research offers new insights into the role of ANGPTL3 in glioblastoma, suggesting that it could serve as an independent predictive factor for patient survival. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which ANGPTL3 affects glioblastoma progression. Future therapeutic strategies targeting ANGPTL3 may offer new hope for improving outcomes in this challenging disease.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4149/neo_2016_011, Alternate LINK

Title: Clinical Significance Of Angiopoietin-Like Protein 3 Expression In Patients With Glioblastoma

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Neoplasma

Publisher: AEPress, s.r.o.

Authors: P. F. Wang, H. L. Li, X. Qi, K. Yao, S. Han, N. Liu, Y. K. Yang, S. W. Li, C. X. Yan

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is ANGPTL3, and why is it being studied in relation to glioblastoma?

ANGPTL3, or Angiopoietin-like protein 3, is a protein that is part of the angiopoietin-like family. While its roles in angiogenesis and tumor development have been observed in other cancers, its specific function in glioblastoma has been unclear until recent studies. Research now suggests it could serve as a predictive factor for patient survival in glioblastoma.

How did ANGPTL3 expression levels correlate with patient survival times in the study?

The study revealed a significant correlation between ANGPTL3 expression levels and survival times. Patients exhibiting high or moderate ANGPTL3 expression faced a median survival time of only 6.3 months, compared to 13.8 months for those with low or negative expression. This finding positions ANGPTL3 as a potential prognostic marker in glioblastoma.

What methods were used to determine ANGPTL3 expression levels in the glioblastoma samples?

The researchers utilized immunohistochemistry to assess the expression levels of ANGPTL3, EGFR, and VEGFR in tumor cells from 57 patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. Statistical methods, including the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses, were employed to analyze overall survival and validate the predictive value of ANGPTL3 expression.

Did the study find any connection between ANGPTL3 expression and other proangiogenic factors like EGFR or VEGFR in glioblastoma?

While the study demonstrated a correlation between ANGPTL3 expression and survival, it did not find a significant relationship between ANGPTL3 and the proangiogenic factors EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) or VEGFR (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor). This suggests that ANGPTL3 may influence glioblastoma progression through mechanisms independent of these particular angiogenic pathways. Further research is needed to fully elucidate these mechanisms.

Given the findings, what are the potential therapeutic implications of targeting ANGPTL3 in glioblastoma treatment?

The finding suggests that targeting ANGPTL3 could be a novel approach to improve patient outcomes in glioblastoma. If future research confirms ANGPTL3 as a key driver of glioblastoma progression, therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing ANGPTL3 expression or blocking its activity could potentially extend survival times. Further studies are needed to explore these possibilities and develop effective ANGPTL3-targeted therapies.