Objective: To highlight recent researches which may show promise for histomolecular classification and new treatments for gliomas.
Data sources: All articles cited in this review were mainly searched from PubMed, which were published in English from 1996 to 2010.
Study selection: Original articles and critical reviews selected were relevant to the isocitrate dehydrogenase-1/2 mutation in gliomas and other tumors.
Results: Extraordinary high rates of somatic mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase-1/2 occur in the majority of World Health Organization grade II and grade III gliomas as well as grade IV secondary glioblastomas. Isocitrate dehydrogenase-1/2 mutations are associated with younger age at diagnosis and a better prognosis in patients with mutated tumors. The functional role of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1/2 mutations in the pathogenesis of gliomas is still unclear.
Conclusion: Isocitrate dehydrogenase-1/2 mutations define a specific subtype of gliomas and may have great significance in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients with these tumors.