Prognostic value of platelet derived growth factor alpha receptor expression in grade 2 astrocytomas and oligoastrocytomas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the expression of platelet derived growth factor alpha receptor (PDGFRalpha) in low grade astrocytomas and oligoastrocytomas is associated with survival.


METHODS
Formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tumour samples of 40 consecutive patients with supratentorial diffuse astrocytomas and oligoastrocytomas of WHO grade 2, resected between 1986 and 1993, were used for immunohistochemical staining. The fraction of tumour cells expressing PDGFRalpha protein was quantified and entered into univariate and multivariate survival analyses. Changes in PDGFalpha expression over time were analysed in seven patients in whom reoperations had been performed.


RESULTS
Patients with a relatively high fraction of PDGFRalpha expressing cells had a more favourable outcome in both univariate (p = 0.04) and multivariate analyses (p = 0.02). Expression of PDGFRalpha was greater in oligoastrocytomas than in astrocytomas (p = 0.05). In four reoperated patients with histologically confirmed malignant transformation, there was a marked decrease in the number of cells expressing the receptor.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an association between high PDGFRalpha expression and long survival time in patients with grade 2 astrocytomas and oligoastrocytomas. The findings suggest that expression of the receptor may be a useful prognostic marker in such patients.
Ribom
D
D
Department of Neuroscience, Neurology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. dan.ribom@neurologi.uu.se
Andrae
J
J
Frielingsdorf
M
M
Hartman
M
M
Nistér
M
M
Smits
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha