title: Mesenchymal/radioresistant traits in granular astrocytomas: evidence from a combined clinical and molecular approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Granular-cell astrocytomas (GCAs) are morphologically characterized by a prominent component of granular periodic acid-Schiff-positive cells, and show increased aggressiveness as compared with 'ordinary' astrocytomas. The aim of this study was to investigate, in a small series of three GCAs, the expression of mesenchymal/radioresistance-associated biomarkers [such as chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met), and caveolin 1 (Cav1)] that could contribute to the poor outcome associated with this glioma subgroup.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results show that GCAs, according to the new molecular glioma classifications, consistently show a prognostically negative molecular trait (IDH1wt-ATRX noloss-1p/19q nocodeletion). Furthermore, GCAs significantly differed from a control series of 33 'conventional' astrocytomas, because of diffuse and strong immunohistochemical coexpression of YKL-40, c-Met, and Cav1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings show that specific morphological traits, such as a granular-cell component, could represent useful features in guiding the search for prognostic and predictive biomarkers that could eventually be therapy-targetable (e.g. Met inhibitors aimed at reducing radioresistance).
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.|IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Senetta
authors: Neuro-Bio-Oncology Centre/Policlinico di Monza Foundation, Vercelli, Italy.
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Mellai
authors: Division of Pathology, Giovanni Bosco Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Manini
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Castellano
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Bertero
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Pittaro
authors: Neuro-Bio-Oncology Centre/Policlinico di Monza Foundation, Vercelli, Italy.
authors: Davide
authors: D
authors: Schiffer
authors: Unit of Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont 'Amedeo Avogadro', Novara, Italy.
authors: Renzo
authors: R
authors: Boldorini
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Cassoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D051242:Caveolin 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016586:Granular Cell Tumor / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C495540:CAV1 protein, human; C084533:CHI3L1 protein, human; D051242:Caveolin 1; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
keywords: Cav1; YKL-40; c-Met; granular-cell astrocytoma; granular-cell glioblastoma