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Variation in correlation between prognosis and histologic feature based on biopsy selection

Glioblastoma multiform carries a dismal prognosis with poor response to gold standard treatment. Innovative data analysis methods have been developed to characterize tumor genomic expression with histologic features. In a clinical setting, biopsy selection methods may be constrained by time and financial burden to the patient. Thus, we investigate the impact biopsy selection has on correlation between prognostic and histologic features in 35 patients with GBM. We compared methods using limited volumes, moderate volumes, and enblock tumor volumes. Additionally, we investigated the impact of random versus strategic methods for limited and moderate volume biopsies. Finally, we compared correlation results by selecting one to five small biopsy. We observed a wide range in correlation significance across selection methods. These findings may aid clinical management of GBM and direct better biopsy selection necessary for the development and deployment of targeted therapies.