Cytogenetic and molecular biological characterization of an adult medulloblastoma

Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2007 Oct 15;178(2):104-13. doi: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2007.06.005.

Abstract

Medulloblastoma is a malignant invasive embryonal tumor, occurring in children mainly. It is rare in adults (<1% of adult brain tumors), and so comprehensive cytogenetic and molecular biological data on adult medulloblastomas are very limited. Conventional therapies provide disappointing long-term disease control, and new therapeutic options are being tested. We performed comprehensive cytogenetic analyses of an adult medulloblastoma, WHO grade IV, using trypsin-Giemsa staining (GTG-banding), multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH), and locus-specific FISH, complemented by molecular karyotyping using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. GTG-banding of 25 metaphases revealed 31 structural chromosomal aberrations, predominantly located on chromosomes 4q, 9q, 10q, 11p, and 20q, which were confirmed by M-FISH. Two novel, so far not described translocations were found: t(4;11)(q25;p15) and t(9;20)(p23;p12). GTG-banding, locus-specific FISH, and M-FISH detected numerical changes of chromosomes 8, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Molecular karyotyping by SNP array confirmed chromosomal changes -2p, -10q, -16q, and -Xq and revealed de novo partial uniparental disomy 1q and 9q. Applying an upcoming therapeutic approach, we found that primary medulloblastoma cells were resistant to TRAIL, a novel anticancer cytokine, but could be efficiently sensitized by cotreatment with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Bortezomib-TRAIL cotreatment may serve as a powerful therapeutic option for medulloblastoma patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Child
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Chromosome Banding
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Karyotyping
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Medulloblastoma / enzymology
  • Medulloblastoma / genetics*
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Synaptophysin / genetics

Substances

  • Synaptophysin
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase