Downloaded 09/27/21 07:54 AM UTC H

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Downloaded 09/27/21 07:54 AM UTC H Neurosurg Focus 8 (4):Article 1, 2000, Click here to return to Table of Contents A review of astrocytoma models HAO DING, M.D., PH.D., ANDRAS NAGY, PH.D., DAVID H. GUTMANN, M.D., PH.D., AND ABHIJIT GUHA, M.D., F.R.C.S.C. Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital; Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics; Labatts Brain Tumor Center, Hospital for Sick Childrens; Division of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Network, University of Toronto, Toronto,Ontario Canada; Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri Despite tremendous technical improvements in neuroimaging and neurosurgery, the prognosis for patients with malignant astrocytoma remains devastating because of the underlying biology and growth characteristics of the tumor. However, our understanding of the molecular bases of these tumors has greatly increased due to study findings involv- ing operative specimens, astrocytoma predisposing human syndromes, teratogen-induced animal and established human astrocytoma cell lines, and more recently transgenic mouse models. Appropriate small-animal models of spon- taneously occurring astrocytomas, which replicate the growth and molecular characteristics found in human tumors, are essential to test the relevance and interactions of these molecular aberrations. In addition, it is hoped that relevant molecular targets will eventually be therapeutically exploited to improve patient outcomes. Appropriate animal mod- els are also essential for testing these novel biological therapies, before they are brought to the clinic, requiring a large investment of time and money. In this paper, various astrocytoma models are discussed, with emphasis on transgenic mouse models that are of great interest to laboratory investigators. KEY WORDS • astrocytoma • glioblastoma multiforme • mouse • gene therapy Malignant astrocytoma represents one of the most dev- increasing understanding of the molecular pathogenesis astating tumors affecting children and adults. Surgery and and development of novel biological therapies of malig- adjuvant conventional radio- and chemotherapy have had nant astrocytomas, there is a need to develop appropriate minimal effect on changing the poor prognosis, which re- models in which to test these novel therapies. Indeed, mains at a median range of only 9 to 12 months.35 Malig- many adjuvant therapies, in which promise in various nant astrocytomas are composed of pleomorphic, hyper- existing in vitro and in vivo models of astrocytomas has proliferative infiltrative astrocytes, with areas of necrosis, been demonstrated, have been applied with little success increased tumor angiogenesis and regions of blood–brain in patients; however, there has been a significant cost in barrier breakdown. These heterogeneous pathological terms of time, patient psychological and occasional phys- characteristics pose major obstacles to the effective man- ical morbidity, and economic issues. These failures are agement of gliomas.11,35 In addition to pathological het- partly based on the fact that we sometimes short-circuit erogeneity, there is associated molecular heterogeneity, the rigors of the scientific investigational process because the expression, interactions, and functional importance of of the terminal nature of the disease and because of our which we have just begun to decipher.16,39,50 It is hoped own enthusiasm to obtain a cure. This has contributed to that this increased understanding of the molecular patho- cynicism and nihilism expressed by the public and clini- genesis of astrocytomas will lead to novel therapeutic tar- cians regarding the management of malignant astrocy- gets, which can be exploited in combination with a variety tomas. Hence, it is important that we expend the time and of genetic, pharmacological, and other approaches to effort to develop and test our novel therapies in appropri- improve the overall clinical prognosis. In tandem with our ate preclinical models that most accurately reproduce the clinical, histological, and molecular characteristics found in human astrocytomas; it is hoped that this will translate Abbreviations used in this paper: CDK = cyclin dependent kinase; into improved success in subsequent clinical trials. EFGR = epidermal growth factor receptors; ES = embryonic stem; GBM = glioblastoma multiforme; GFAP = glial fibrillary acid Currently available models of astrocytomas include in protein; NF = neurofibromatosis; PDGFR = platelet-derived growth vitro cell lines derived from human malignant astrocyto- factor receptor; TSC = tuberous sclerosis complex; VEGF = vascu- mas as well as chemically or virally induced rat or mouse lar endothelial growth factor. astrocytomas. These cell lines have certainly served to in- Neurosurg. Focus / Volume 8 / April, 2000 1 Unauthenticated | Downloaded 09/27/21 07:54 AM UTC H. Ding, et al. crease our knowledge of the genetic aberrations in astro- nant Brain Tumor-1 gene46), amplification of EGFR and/ cytomas, permitting a variety of molecular biological ma- or EGFRvIII, and overexpression of VEGF. A second, nipulations to test the functional significance of these younger group progresses through increasing grades of alterations. However, it is well recognized that cell lines astrocytomas, and in these GBMs there are also earlier harbor different genetic profiles that are not representative genetic aberrations such as loss of the p53, p16, and renti- of the parent tumor, a fact that is even more important in noblastoma cell cycle regulatory genes in combination heterogeneous tumors such as malignant astrocytomas. with overexpression of PDGFR.1,5,18,20,21,23,28,33,45,48,56,57,63 Current in vivo astrocytoma models include growth of Chromosomal and loss of heterozygosity analyses of these cell lines in heterotopic or orthotopic locations in GBMs demonstrate amplification and loss of several ge- immunocompromised or syngenic hosts; however, most netic loci. Amplifications most commonly involve chro- fail to recapitulate the infiltrative nature of human malig- mosomes 7 containing EGFR and 12q containing the nant astrocytomas. Human tumor explant xenograft mod- CDK4, MDM2, and Rap1B loci.37,51,68 Loss of the entire els also suffer from these deficiencies, even when chromosome or several regions on chromosome 10 is also attempts have been made to implant them into the brain prevalent in GBMs as discussed previously, with PTEN/ and additionally they are plagued by an extremely low and MMAC1 expression lost in a majority of GBMs, although variable tumor formation rate. Although chemically or the actual rate of mutations is much lower.61,64,65 Mutations virally induced animal models exist, they unfortunately and loss of heterorzygosity at the p53 loci (17p) are ob- also suffer from their low incidence of tumor formation, served in two thirds of lower-grade (World Health Or- and possess significant molecular and pathological differ- ganization Grades I and II) astrocytomas but in only ap- ences from human astrocytomas. Another group of poten- proximately one third of GBMs.18,56 Last, loss of CDK tial in vivo astrocytoma models are found in familial can- inhibitors (p16 and p15) and the loss of retinoblastoma are cer predisposition syndromes that are associated with an also frequently detected, such that aberrations of the p53 or increased incidence of astrocytomas and their correspond- retinoblastoma-regulated cell cycle pathways at one level ing gene knockout mouse models. These include NF1 or another are prevalent in most astrocytomas.1,28,33,48,57,63 and NF2, TSC, and the Li–Fraumeni cancer syndrome. Unfortunately, the corresponding knockout mice do not develop astrocytomas, perhaps reflecting a combination of CANCER PREDISPOSITION SYNDROMES the low incidence of astrocytomas in these familial syn- ASSOCIATED WITH ASTROCYTOMAS AND dromes, the requirement of additional genetic aberrations CORRESPONDING MOUSE MODELS for developing astrocytomas, and the limitations and dif- ferences in mouse models as compared with humans. Examination of cancer predisposition syndromes, Despite the limitations, ongoing research is still re- which have at least one well-characterized genetic alter- quired to develop spontaneously occurring small-animal ation, and their corresponding mouse knockout models is models of astrocytomas that mimic the pathological and potentially informative. The genetic alterations demon- molecular profile of human astrocytomas; additionally, strated in the predisposition syndromes are usually found research in these animal models has the potential to ad- in the more common sporadic human counterparts; there- vance our ability to treat and investigate this disease. Ideal fore, what we learn from studying these well-defined pa- animal models of human astrocytomas should fulfill the tient cohorts and the corresponding mouse models may be following criteria: 1) tumors should arise from astrocytes; extrapolated to the sporadic tumors. 2) tumors should be transformed as characterized by im- mortalization in vitro and the ability to be transplanted Neurofibromatosis Type 1 into syngeneic or immunocompromised hosts in vivo; 3) Neurofibromatosis Type 1 is a common autosomal tumors should develop in small inexpensive animals in dominant cancer predisposition neurocutaneous syndrome which there are relatively short and predictable induction in which 15 to 20% of affected individuals develop astro- times; 4) tumors should share similar molecular profiles cytomas, commonly involving the optic pathway.13 with
Recommended publications
  • Central Nervous System Tumors General ~1% of Tumors in Adults, but ~25% of Malignancies in Children (Only 2Nd to Leukemia)
    Last updated: 3/4/2021 Prepared by Kurt Schaberg Central Nervous System Tumors General ~1% of tumors in adults, but ~25% of malignancies in children (only 2nd to leukemia). Significant increase in incidence in primary brain tumors in elderly. Metastases to the brain far outnumber primary CNS tumors→ multiple cerebral tumors. One can develop a very good DDX by just location, age, and imaging. Differential Diagnosis by clinical information: Location Pediatric/Young Adult Older Adult Cerebral/ Ganglioglioma, DNET, PXA, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) Supratentorial Ependymoma, AT/RT Infiltrating Astrocytoma (grades II-III), CNS Embryonal Neoplasms Oligodendroglioma, Metastases, Lymphoma, Infection Cerebellar/ PA, Medulloblastoma, Ependymoma, Metastases, Hemangioblastoma, Infratentorial/ Choroid plexus papilloma, AT/RT Choroid plexus papilloma, Subependymoma Fourth ventricle Brainstem PA, DMG Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, DMG, Metastases Spinal cord Ependymoma, PA, DMG, MPE, Drop Ependymoma, Astrocytoma, DMG, MPE (filum), (intramedullary) metastases Paraganglioma (filum), Spinal cord Meningioma, Schwannoma, Schwannoma, Meningioma, (extramedullary) Metastases, Melanocytoma/melanoma Melanocytoma/melanoma, MPNST Spinal cord Bone tumor, Meningioma, Abscess, Herniated disk, Lymphoma, Abscess, (extradural) Vascular malformation, Metastases, Extra-axial/Dural/ Leukemia/lymphoma, Ewing Sarcoma, Meningioma, SFT, Metastases, Lymphoma, Leptomeningeal Rhabdomyosarcoma, Disseminated medulloblastoma, DLGNT, Sellar/infundibular Pituitary adenoma, Pituitary adenoma,
    [Show full text]
  • A Case of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Astrocytoma Associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
    KISEP J Korean Neurosurg Soc 36 : 69-71, 2004 Case Report A Case of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Astrocytoma Associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Jae Taek Hong, M.D.,1 Sang Won Lee, M.D.,1 Byung Chul Son, M.D.,1 Moon Chan Kim, M.D.2 Department of Neurosurgery,1 St. Vincent Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea Department of Neurosurgery,2 Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea The authors report a symptomatic intramedullary spinal cord astrocytoma in the thoracolumbar area associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). A 38-year-old woman presented with paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary lesion within the lower thoracic spinal cord and conus medullaris, which was removed surgically. Pathological investigation showed anaplastic astrocytoma. This case confirms that the diagnosis criteria set by the National Institute of Health Consensus Development Conference can be useful to differentiate ependymoma from astrocytoma when making a preoperative diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cord tumor in patients of NF-1. KEY WORDS : Astrocytoma·Intramedullary cord tumor·Neurofibromatosis. Introduction eurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), also known as von N Recklinghausen's disease, is one of the most common autosomal dominant inherited disorders with an incidence of 1 in 3,000 individuals and is characterized by a predisposition to tumors of the nervous system5,6,12,16). Central nervous system lesions associated with NF-1 include optic nerve glioma and low-grade gliomas of the hypothalamus, cerebellum and brain stem6,10). Since the introduction of magnetic resonance(MR) imaging, Fig. 1. Photograph of the patient's back shows multiple subcutaneous incidental lesions with uncertain pathological characteristic nodules (black arrow) and a cafe-au-lait spot (white arrow), which have been a frequent finding in the brain and spinal cord of are typical of NF-1.
    [Show full text]
  • Astrocytoma: a Hormone-Sensitive Tumor?
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Astrocytoma: A Hormone-Sensitive Tumor? Alex Hirtz 1, Fabien Rech 1,2,Hélène Dubois-Pot-Schneider 1 and Hélène Dumond 1,* 1 Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CRAN, F-54000 Nancy, France; [email protected] (A.H.); [email protected] (F.R.); [email protected] (H.D.-P.-S.) 2 Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Service de Neurochirurgie, F-54000 Nancy, France * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +33-372746115 Received: 29 October 2020; Accepted: 27 November 2020; Published: 30 November 2020 Abstract: Astrocytomas and, in particular, their most severe form, glioblastoma, are the most aggressive primary brain tumors and those with the poorest vital prognosis. Standard treatment only slightly improves patient survival. Therefore, new therapies are needed. Very few risk factors have been clearly identified but many epidemiological studies have reported a higher incidence in men than women with a sex ratio of 1:4. Based on these observations, it has been proposed that the neurosteroids and especially the estrogens found in higher concentrations in women’s brains could, in part, explain this difference. Estrogens can bind to nuclear or membrane receptors and potentially stimulate many different interconnected signaling pathways. The study of these receptors is even more complex since many isoforms are produced from each estrogen receptor encoding gene through alternative promoter usage or splicing, with each of them potentially having a specific role in the cell. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent data supporting the involvement of steroids during gliomagenesis and to focus on the potential neuroprotective role as well as the mechanisms of action of estrogens in gliomas.
    [Show full text]
  • The New WHO Classification of Brain Tumors and Molecular Profiling in the Diagnosis of Gliomas
    The New WHO Classification of Brain Tumors and Molecular Profiling in the Diagnosis of Gliomas Aivi Nguyen, MD Neuropathology Fellow Division of Neuropathology Center for Personalized Diagnosis (CPD) Glial neoplasms – infiltrating gliomas Astrocytic tumors • Diffuse astrocytoma II • Anaplastic astrocytoma III • Glioblastoma • Giant cell glioblastoma IV • Gliosarcoma Oligodendroglial tumors • Oligodendroglioma II • Anaplastic oligodendroglioma III Oligoastrocytic tumors • Oligoastrocytoma II • Anaplastic oligoastrocytoma III Courtesy of Dr. Maria Martinez-Lage 2 2016 3 The 2016 WHO classification of tumours of the central nervous system Louis et al., Acta Neuropathologica 2016 4 Talk Outline Genetic, epigenetic and metabolic changes in gliomas • Mechanisms/tumor biology • Incorporation into daily practice and WHO classification Penn’s Center for Personalized Diagnostics • Tests performed • Results and observations to date Summary 5 The 2016 WHO classification of tumours of the central nervous system Louis et al., Acta Neuropathologica 2016 6 Mechanism of concurrent 1p and 19q chromosome loss in oligodendroglioma lost FUBP1 CIC Whole-arm translocation Griffin et al., Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology 2006 7 Oligodendroglioma: 1p19q co-deletion Since the 1990s Diagnostic Prognostic Predictive Li et al., Int J Clin Exp Pathol 2014 8 Mutations of Selected Genes in Glioma Subtypes GBM Astrocytoma Oligodendroglioma Oligoastrocytoma Killela et al., PNAS 2013 9 Escaping Senescence Telomerase reverse transcriptase gene
    [Show full text]
  • Malignant CNS Solid Tumor Rules
    Malignant CNS and Peripheral Nerves Equivalent Terms and Definitions C470-C479, C700, C701, C709, C710-C719, C720-C725, C728, C729, C751-C753 (Excludes lymphoma and leukemia M9590 – M9992 and Kaposi sarcoma M9140) Introduction Note 1: This section includes the following primary sites: Peripheral nerves C470-C479; cerebral meninges C700; spinal meninges C701; meninges NOS C709; brain C710-C719; spinal cord C720; cauda equina C721; olfactory nerve C722; optic nerve C723; acoustic nerve C724; cranial nerve NOS C725; overlapping lesion of brain and central nervous system C728; nervous system NOS C729; pituitary gland C751; craniopharyngeal duct C752; pineal gland C753. Note 2: Non-malignant intracranial and CNS tumors have a separate set of rules. Note 3: 2007 MPH Rules and 2018 Solid Tumor Rules are used based on date of diagnosis. • Tumors diagnosed 01/01/2007 through 12/31/2017: Use 2007 MPH Rules • Tumors diagnosed 01/01/2018 and later: Use 2018 Solid Tumor Rules • The original tumor diagnosed before 1/1/2018 and a subsequent tumor diagnosed 1/1/2018 or later in the same primary site: Use the 2018 Solid Tumor Rules. Note 4: There must be a histologic, cytologic, radiographic, or clinical diagnosis of a malignant neoplasm /3. Note 5: Tumors from a number of primary sites metastasize to the brain. Do not use these rules for tumors described as metastases; report metastatic tumors using the rules for that primary site. Note 6: Pilocytic astrocytoma/juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma is reportable in North America as a malignant neoplasm 9421/3. • See the Non-malignant CNS Rules when the primary site is optic nerve and the diagnosis is either optic glioma or pilocytic astrocytoma.
    [Show full text]
  • Meningioma ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
    AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION Meningioma ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION Meningioma Founded in 1973, the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) was the first national nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated solely to brain tumor research. For nearly 45 years, the ABTA has been providing comprehensive resources that support the complex needs of brain tumor patients and caregivers, as well as the critical funding of research in the pursuit of breakthroughs in brain tumor diagnosis, treatment and care. To learn more about the ABTA, visit www.abta.org. We gratefully acknowledge Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, FANA, FAAN chair of department of translational neuro- oncology and neurotherapeutics, and Marlon Saria, MSN, RN, AOCNS®, FAAN clinical nurse specialist, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, CA; and Albert Lai, MD, PhD, assistant clinical professor, Adult Brain Tumors, UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program, for their review of this edition of this publication. This publication is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice and does not provide advice on treatments or conditions for individual patients. All health and treatment decisions must be made in consultation with your physician(s), utilizing your specific medical information. Inclusion in this publication is not a recommendation of any product, treatment, physician or hospital. COPYRIGHT © 2017 ABTA REPRODUCTION WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION Meningioma INTRODUCTION Although meningiomas are considered a type of primary brain tumor, they do not grow from brain tissue itself, but instead arise from the meninges, three thin layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord.
    [Show full text]
  • Sudden Unexpected Death from Extraventricular Neurocytoma. a Case Report and Review of the Literature
    Case Report J Forensic Sci & Criminal Inves Volume-3 Issue -1 April 2017 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Panagiotis Mylonakis DOI: 10.19080/JFSCI.2017.03.555603 Sudden Unexpected Death from Extraventricular Neurocytoma. A Case Report and Review of the Literature Panagiotis Mylonakis1, Stefanos Milias2, Dimitrios Pappas3 and Antigony Mitselou4* 1Medical Examiner’s Office of Thessaloniki, Greece 2Department of Pathology, 424 Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece 3Department of Pathology, 401 Military Hospital of Athens, Greece 4Department of Forensic Pathology and Toxicology, University of Ioannina, Greece Submission: April 06, 2017; Published: April 19, 2017 *Corresponding author: Panagiotis Mylonakis, MD, Medical Examiner’s Office of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54012, P.O.BOX: 19757, Greece, Tel: Email: Abstract Fatal brain tumors are often diagnosed well before death. Rarely, they are associated to sudden and unexpected death and encountered in medico legal autopsy practice. Neurocytomas are unusual neuronal tumors especially affecting young people and commonly arise in the ventricles with a benign outcome. Currently, these tumors have been well recognized outside the limits of the cerebral ventricules and in these unexpectedly due to a previously undiagnosed extra ventricular neurocytoma. instances, have been called “exta ventricular neurocytomas” (EVNs). The authors present the case of a 35 year-old male who died suddenly and Keywords: Brain tumors; Neurocytoma; Extra ventricular neurocytoma; Sudden death; Autopsy Introduction due to a clinically undiagnosed extra ventricular neurocytoma Central neurocytomas (CNs) are benign tumors which located on the midbrain. usually arise from the lateral ventricles [1,2]. Extra ventricular neurocytomas (EVNs) refer to tumors with similar or identical Case Report biological and histopathological characteristics to CNs, but History which arise from extra ventricular parenchymal tissue [2].
    [Show full text]
  • Information Sheet 4: High-Grade Glioma Brain Tumours and Treatment Options
    Information Sheet 4: High-Grade Glioma brain tumours and treatment options This information document on high grade brain tumours simply provides a basis for discussion with the healthcare professionals with whom you are in contact. It should not in any way be used as a substitute for professional care. What is a Glioma? There are nearly 100 different types of brain tumours. Most primary brain tumours develop from the cells that support the nerve cells of the brain. These are called glial cells. So a tumour of glial cells is given the collective name of a glioma. About half of all primary brain tumours are gliomas. Low-grade or high-grade? Brain tumours are put into groups according to how fast they are likely to grow. There are four groups, called Grades 1–4. The cells are examined under a microscope, and the more normal they look, the more slowly the brain tumour is likely to develop and the lower the grade. The more abnormal the cells look, the more quickly the brain tumour is likely to grow and the higher the grade. You may have been told you have a benign tumour or a malignant tumour. Low-grade tumours are generally regarded as benign and high-grade as malignant. Malignant So, generally speaking, malignant means that: The tumour is relatively fast growing It may come back after surgery, even if completely removed It may spread to other parts of the brain or spinal cord It cannot just be treated with surgery and will need further treatments, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, to try to stop it from returning.
    [Show full text]
  • Perinatal (Fetal and Neonatal) Astrocytoma: a Review
    Childs Nerv Syst DOI 10.1007/s00381-016-3215-y REVIEW PAPER Perinatal (fetal and neonatal) astrocytoma: a review Hart Isaacs Jr.1,2 Received: 16 July 2016 /Accepted: 3 August 2016 # The Author(s) 2016. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Keywords Fetal astrocytoma . Neonatal astrocytoma . Introduction The purpose of this review is to document the Perinatal astrocytoma . Intracranial hemorrhage . Congenital various types of astrocytoma that occur in the fetus and neo- brain tumor nate, their locations, initial findings, pathology, and outcome. Data are presented that show which patients are likely to sur- vive or benefit from treatment compared with those who are Introduction unlikely to respond. Materials and methods One hundred one fetal and neonatal Glial cells are the supportive elements of the central nervous tumors were collected from the literature for study. system (CNS) [22]. They include astrocytes, oligodendro- Results Macrocephaly and an intracranial mass were the most cytes, and ependymal cells, and the corresponding tumors common initial findings. Overall, hydrocephalus and intracra- originating from these cells astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, nial hemorrhage were next. Glioblastoma (GBM) was the and ependymoma all of which are loosely called Bglioma^ most common neoplasm followed in order by subependymal [16, 22]. The term Bglioma^ is used interchangeably with giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA), low-grade astrocytoma, ana- astrocytoma to describe the more common subgroup of tu- plastic astrocytoma, and desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma mors [22]. (DIA). Tumors were detected most often toward the end of Glioma (astrocytoma) is the leading CNS tumor in chil- the third trimester of pregnancy.
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings from the 2009 NF Conference: New Frontiers Joseph L
    CONFERENCE REPORT What’s New in Neurofibromatosis? Proceedings From the 2009 NF Conference: New Frontiers Joseph L. Kissil,1 Jaishri O. Blakeley,2 Rosalie E. Ferner,3 Susan M. Huson,4 Michel Kalamarides,5 Victor-Felix Mautner,6 Frank McCormick,7 Helen Morrison,8 Roger Packer,9 Vijaya Ramesh,10 Nancy Ratner,11 Katherine A. Rauen,7 David A. Stevenson,12 Kim Hunter-Schaedle,13* and Kathryn North14 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 3Guy’s and St Thomas’!NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom 4St. Mary’s Hospital, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom 5Hopital Beaujon, APHP, Clichy, France and Inserm U674 6University Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany 7University of California, San Francisco, California 8Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Jena, Germany 9Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia 10Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 11Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 12University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 13Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, New York 14University of Sydney and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia Received 30 September 2009; Accepted 17 October 2009 The NF Conference is the largest annual gathering of researchers and clinicians focused on neurofibromatosis and has been con- How to Cite this Article: vened by the Children’s Tumor Foundation for over 20 years. The Kissil JL, Blakeley JO, Ferner RE, Huson SM, 2009 NF Conference was held in Portland, Oregon from June 13 to Kalamarides M, Mautner V-F, McCormick F, June 16, 2009 andco-chaired by Kathryn North from the University Morrison H, Packer R, Ramesh V, Ratner N, of Sydney and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Rauen KA, Stevenson DA, Hunter-Schaedle Australia; and Joseph Kissil from the Wistar Institute, Philadel- K, North K.
    [Show full text]
  • Complete Surgical Resection of High-Grade Astroblastoma with Long Time Survival: Case Report and Review of the Literature
    Neurocirugía 2006; 17: 60-63 Neurocirugía 2006; 17: Complete surgical resection of high-grade astroblastoma with long time survival: case report and review of the literature P. Miranda; R.D. Lobato; A. Cabello*; P.A. Gómez y A. Martínez de Aragón** Servicios de Neurocirugía, Neuropatología* y Neurorradiología**. Hospital 12 de Octubre. Madrid. Summary paciente con un astroblastoma de alto grado con super- vivencia prolongada, en el cual la resección quirúrgica Astroblastoma is a rare glial neoplasm of unknown completa se demostró mediante resonancia magnética origin and uncertain prognosis. It usually presents postoperatoria precoz. in young adults as a well circumscribed hemispheric mass, often associated with a cystic component. The PALABRAS CLAVE: Astroblastoma. Tumor glial. Trata- histological features of astroblastoma are the presence miento. Pronóstico. of typical astroblastic perivascular pseudorosettes and perivascular hyalinization. Two different subtypes of Introduction astroblastoma have been defined based upon histologi- cal characteristics. Prognosis, however, sometimes is in Astroblastomas are glial neoplasms of unknown origin contradiction with the pathological appearance and characterized by a typical perivascular pattern of GFAP- seems to be more closely related to the grade of surgi- positive astrocytic cells with broad non-tapering processes cal resection. We present a new case of a patient with a radiating towards a central blood vessel. Since a similar high-grade astroblastoma with a long survival time, in histological pattern may occur in low- and high-grade whom complete surgical resection was confirmed by an astrocytomas as well as in glioblastomas, the term astro- early postoperative MRI. blastoma should be restricted to those rare tumors in which it prevails throughout a well-demarcated lesion that does KEY WORDS: Astroblastoma.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Understanding of Neurofibromatosis Type 1, 2, And
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Current Understanding of Neurofibromatosis Type 1, 2, and Schwannomatosis Ryota Tamura Department of Neurosurgery, Kawasaki Municipal Hospital, Shinkawadori, Kanagawa, Kawasaki-ku 210-0013, Japan; [email protected] Abstract: Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the development of tumors of the central or peripheral nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and bones. There are three types of NF: NF1 accounting for 96% of all cases, NF2 in 3%, and schwannomatosis (SWN) in <1%. The NF1 gene is located on chromosome 17q11.2, which encodes for a tumor suppressor protein, neurofibromin, that functions as a negative regulator of Ras/MAPK and PI3K/mTOR signaling pathways. The NF2 gene is identified on chromosome 22q12, which encodes for merlin, a tumor suppressor protein related to ezrin-radixin-moesin that modulates the activity of PI3K/AKT, Raf/MEK/ERK, and mTOR signaling pathways. In contrast, molecular insights on the different forms of SWN remain unclear. Inactivating mutations in the tumor suppressor genes SMARCB1 and LZTR1 are considered responsible for a majority of cases. Recently, treatment strategies to target specific genetic or molecular events involved in their tumorigenesis are developed. This study discusses molecular pathways and related targeted therapies for NF1, NF2, and SWN and reviews recent clinical trials which involve NF patients. Keywords: neurofibromatosis type 1; neurofibromatosis type 2; schwannomatosis; molecular tar- geted therapy; clinical trial Citation: Tamura, R. Current Understanding of Neurofibromatosis Int. Type 1, 2, and Schwannomatosis. 1. Introduction J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 5850. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115850 Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder that causes multiple tumors on nerve tissues, including brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves [1–3].
    [Show full text]