The genetic and epigenetic basis of ependymoma.
BACKGROUND
Although ependymoma is the third most common pediatric brain tumor, we know little about the genetic/epigenetic basis of its initiation, maintenance, or progression. This is due in part to the heterogeneity of the disease, as well as the small sample size of the cohorts analyzed in most studies.


METHODS
Many of the genetic aberrations identified to date are large genomic regions, making the differentiation between passenger and driver genes difficult. The finding of a balanced karyotype in a significant subset of pediatric posterior fossa ependymomas increases the difficulty of identifying targets for rationale therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The paucity of in vitro and in vivo model systems for ependymoma compound the difficulties outlined above. In this review, we discuss the published literature on ependymoma genetics and epigenetics and discuss possible future directions for the field.
Mack
Stephen C
SC
Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Center, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Taylor
Michael D
MD
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans