Loss of heterozygosity at 1p-19q induces a global change in oligodendroglial tumor gene expression

J Neurooncol. 2009 Dec;95(3):343-354. doi: 10.1007/s11060-009-9944-y. Epub 2009 Jul 12.

Abstract

Oligodendroglial tumors presenting loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 1p and 19q have been shown to be sensitive to chemotherapy, thus making 1p-19q status testing a key aspect in oligodendroglioma diagnosis and prognosis. Twenty-nine tumor samples (19 oligodendrogliomas, 10 oligoastrocytomas) were analyzed in order to obtain a molecular profile identifying those bearing 1p-19q LOH. Other genomic anomalies usually present in gliomas, such as EGFR amplification, CDKN2A/ARF deletion, 10q LOH and TP53 mutation, were also studied. Tumors with 1p-19q LOH overexpressed genes related to neurogenesis. Genes linked to immune response, proliferation and inflammation were overexpressed in the group with intact 1p-19q; this group could in turn be further divided in two subgroups: one overexpressing genes involved in immune response and inflammation that did not show major genetic aberrations other than the TP53 mutation and EGFR trisomy in a few cases, and another overexpressing genes related to immune response and proliferation that had a predominance of samples carrying several anomalies and presenting worse outcomes. This molecular signature was validated by analyzing a set of ten tumor samples (three oligodendrogliomas, seven oligoastrocytomas); all ten samples were correctly assigned. LOH at 1p-19q results in haploinsufficiency and copy number reduction of several genes, including NOTCH 2; this phenomenon produces a global change in gene expression inducing a pro-neural status that results in restrictions to cell migration and proliferation. Tumors without LOH at 1p-19q exhibit the opposite characteristics, explaining their more aggressive behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosome Deletion
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Loss of Heterozygosity*
  • Middle Aged
  • Oligodendroglioma / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction