Latino Americans are a rapidly growing ethnic group in the United States. The characteristics of glioblastoma in this population is poorly studied. We have evaluated the data of 47,540 glioblastoma patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute. This SEER data from 1973-2000 includes up to 13 cancer registries. For 2001 to 2011, the data has improved geographic coverage with 18 registries encompassing 28% of the U.S. population.

Latinos have a lower incidence of GBM than non-Latino Whites. Gender distribution is similar. The total SEER data show that Latinos present slightly younger and have a higher incidence of giant cell glioblastoma and gliosarcoma than non-Latino Whites. Despite higher rates of radiation therapy, the one year survival rate (34.7%) for non-Latino White populations is less than for Latinos (39.0%, p <0.001). Subset analyses (2001-2011) of all the above parameters show similar results except for gliosarcoma incidence. A literature search does not identify MGMT or IDH1 data regarding Latino Americans.

We have assessed 2 prognostic markers in 30 Latino glioblastoma patients. MGMT methylation is present in 24% and IDH1 mutation is found in 12.5%. Our preliminary data suggests that Latinos may have a greater incidence of MGMT unmethylated tumors. Younger age may possibly contribute to improved survival in Latinos but the underlying molecular basis is unresolved.