title: Molecular diagnostics in central nervous system tumors.
abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms can be diagnostically challenging, due to remarkably wide ranges in histologic appearance, biologic behavior, and therapeutic approach. Nevertheless, accurate diagnosis is the critical first step in providing optimal patient care. As with other oncology-based specialties, there is a rapidly expanding interest and enthusiasm for identifying and utilizing new biomarkers to enhance the day-to-day practice of surgical neuropathology. In this regard, the field is primed by recent advances in basic research, elucidating the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and progression in the most common adult and pediatric brain tumors. Thus far, few have made the transition into routine clinical practice, the most notable example being 1p and 19q testing in oligodendroglial tumors. However, the field is rapidly evolving and many other biomarkers are likely to emerge as useful ancillary diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic aids. The goal of this article is to highlight the most common genetic alterations currently implicated in CNS tumors, focusing most on those that are either already in common use in ancillary molecular diagnostics testing or are likely to become so in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, and Division of Neuropathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. christine.fuller@stjude.org
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor