Relationship between DLK-1 levels in blood serum and survival of patients with glioblastoma

Several studies have shown that the increased expression of delta-like noncanonical Notch ligand 1 (DLK-1) is associated with more aggressive tumor characteristics in patients with glioblastoma. The aim of the study was to estimate the diagnostic and prognostic values of DLK-1 serum levels in glioblastoma patients. Material and Methods. The study included 39 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The DLK-1 level was evaluated in paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples in glioblastoma patients before starting chemoradiotherapy (CRT). All patients with glioblastoma received combined modality treatment. The DLK-1 level in blood serum was additionally assessed during follow-up visits.