Early genetic changes involved in low-grade astrocytic tumor development.
Astrocytomas represent the most common form of glial tumors. The most malignant grade of these tumors, glioblastoma multiforme, may arise as a malignant progression from low-grade astrocytoma through anaplastic astrocytoma to secondary GBM, or else it may arise "de novo" as primary GBM. Both types of glioblastoma are usually histologically indistinguishable. However, distinct molecular alterations have been described between them that potentially allow differentiation between the two mechanisms of origin. Since malignant transformation is a multistep process, we summarize in this review the earliest genetic changes that seem to be involved in the appearance and development of low-grade astrocytic tumors, where early detection and treatment could be possible.
Arjona
Dolores
D
Department of Microbiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA, and Laboratorio de Oncogenética Molecular, Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain. mdarjona@vcu.edu
Rey
Juan Antonio
JA
Taylor
Shirley M
SM
D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000235:genetics*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins