[Genome-wide genetic study of medulloblastoma using allelotype analysis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate global genetic alterations in medulloblastoma, and to localize critical chromosomal loci with allelic imbalances associated with the development of medulloblastoma.


METHODS
A high-resolution genome-wide allelotype analysis, including 384 microsatellite markers, was performed in 12 medulloblastomas.


RESULTS
An average of 238 (62.3%) allelic imbalances were detected on all 39 autosomal arms. Non-random allelic gains or losses were detected on chromosomes 7q (58.3%), 8p (66.7%), 16q (58.3%), 17p (58.3%) and 17q (66.7%). In addition, chromosomal arms with frequencies of allelic imbalances higher than the mean percentage were identified on 3p (33.3%), 3q (33.3%), 4q (41.7%), 7p (33.3%), 8q (41.7%), 10q (41.7%), 13q (33.3%), 14q (33.3%) and 20q (33.3%). No relationship was found between the frequency of allelic imbalances and the clinical outcome of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
A global view of the genetic alterations in medulloblastoma was provided. The allelic imbalances involving chromosomes 7q, 8p, 16q, 17p and 17q may play an important role in the pathogenesis of medulloblastoma.
Yin
Xiao-lu
XL
Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China. niyin@yahoo.com
Pang
Chung-Sean
CS
Ng
Ho-Keung
HK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D022981:Allelic Imbalance; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D002897:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000235:genetics*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics