Article
Characterization of the genetic progression of malignant gliomas using micro array analysis
Darstellung der genetischen Progression von malignen Gliomen mittels Microarray-Analysen
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Published: | April 23, 2004 |
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Outline
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Objective
Anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) intend to progress to grade IV. These tumours have a reduced median survival time. Multiple pathways have been described for the progression of anaplastic astrocytomas to glioblastomas, such as overexpression of EGFR and the p53 pathway. However, human malignant gliomas are thought to develop as a result of stepwise accumulations of multiple genetic alterations. Microarray analysis provides the chance to compare the expression of thousands of genes in these tumours and therefore might help understanding their malignant progression.
Methods
We compared the transcriptional profile of approximately 4,600 genes in 6 anaplastic astrocytomas (grade III) with 7 glioblastomas (grade IV). The microarray results were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction analysis.
Results
Multiple gene alterations were found, oncogenes like WIF-1 had been up regulated and repairing genes like FACL3 and FZDZ, which interact with the WNT receptor, had been down-regulated in our series.
Conclusions
Besides known genes, such as p53, EGFR and others, further candidate genes contributing to the progression of malignant gliomas have been identified. Further larger studies should be initiated to support our data.