Laser-capture microdissected schwannian and neuroblastic cells in stage 4 neuroblastomas have the same genetic alterations.
BACKGROUND
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous tumor composed of mixed populations of neuroblastic, Schwannian, and gangliocytic cells.


METHODS
We examined the genetic lineage of Schwannian and neuroblastic cells in stage 4 NB using laser-capture microdissection (LCM) and allelic analysis of microsatellite markers of chromosomes 1p, 11q, and 14q.


RESULTS
In 18 out of 19 cases, individual cell types exhibited the same allelotype.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide evidence that the majority of Schwannian and neuroblastic cells in stage 4 NB are of neoplastic origin, and support the hypothesis of a tumor stem cell capable of development along multiple lineages.
Mora
J
J
Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Akram
M
M
Cheung
N K
NK
Chen
L
L
Gerald
W L
WL
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000473:pathology