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Molecular
pathogenesis of oligodendroglial tumors
Judith
W.M. Jeuken, Andreas Von Deimling, Pieter Wesseling
Department
of Pathology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
[JWMJ, PW]. Department of Neuropathology, Charité,
Berlin, Germany [AVD].
Based
on their histopathological appearances, most diffusely infiltrative gliomas can
be classified either as astrocytic tumors (As), pure oligodendroglial tumors
(Os) or mixed oligoastrocytic tumors (OAs).
The latter two may be grouped
together as oligodendroglial tumors (OTs).
The distinction between As and OTs is
important because of the more favorable clinical behavior of OTs.
Unfortunately,
the histopathological delineation of OAs, Os and As can be difficult because of
vague and subjective histopathological criteria.
Over the last decade, the
knowledge on the molecular genetic background of OTs has drastically increased.
This review provides an overview of molecular genetic aberrations in OTs and
discusses the pathobiological and clinical significance of these aberrations.
In
contrast to As, OTs frequently show frequent loss of heterozygosity on
chromosome arms 1p and 19q.
Since these aberrations are significantly correlated
with clinically relevant parameters, such as prognosis and chemosensitivity, and
given the difficulties in histopathological typing and grading of glial tumors,
genetic testing should be included in routine glioma diagnostics.
It is to be
expected that the identification of the relevant tumor suppressor genes located
on 1p and 19q will lead to more refined genetic tests for OTs.
Furthermore, as
microarray technology is rapidly increasing, it is likely that clinically
relevant markers for OTs will be identified on other chromosomes and need to be
included into routine glioma diagnostics as well.
Keywords:
loss
of heterozygosity, molecular genetics, oligoastrocytoma, oligodendroglioma
Copyright
©
2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.
All
rights reserved
Source: http://ipsapp007.kluweronline.com/IPS/content/ext/x/J/5042/I/125/A/4/abstract.htm
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