title: Biomarkers for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is a highly aggressive soft tissue sarcoma affecting predominantly patients with neurofibromatosis type I. The appearance of MPNST varies considerably and discrimination from other high-grade soft tissue tumours as well as cellular variants of benign nerve sheath tumours may be difficult. Therefore, there is great interest in defining biological markers for MPNST.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review summarises research on the pathogenesis and progress in diagnostics of MPNST.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature on MPNST focusing on pathogenesis and potential biomarkers was reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent molecular analyses contributed significantly to our understanding of MPNST. Candidate markers and expression signatures await further validation for their feasibility in guiding diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.
authors.affiliation: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Reuss
authors.forename: A von
authors.initials: Av
authors.lastname: Deimling