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Rapid Diagnosis of Medulloblastoma Molecular Subgroups

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Ed Schwalbe, Dr Janet Lindsey, Debbie Straughton, Mike Cole, Dr Hisham Megahed, Dr Sarra Ryan, Dr Meryl Lusher, Dr Richard Gilbertson, Professor David Ellison, Professor Simon BaileyORCiD, Professor Steven CliffordORCiD

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Abstract

Purpose: Microarray studies indicate medulloblastoma comprises distinct molecular disease subgroups, which offer potential for improved clinical management. Experimental Design: Minimal mRNA expression signatures diagnostic for the Wnt/Wingless (WNT) and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) subgroups were developed, validated, and used to assign subgroup affiliation in 173 tumors from four independent cohorts, alongside a systematic investigation of subgroup clinical and molecular characteristics. Results: WNT tumors [12% (21/173)] were diagnosed >5 years of age (peak, 10 years), displayed classic histology, CTNNB1 mutation (19/20), and associated chromosome 6 loss, and have previously been associated with favorable prognosis. SHH cases [24% (42/173)] predominated in infants (<3 years) and showed an age-dependent relationship to desmoplastic/nodular pathology; all infant desmoplastic/nodular cases (previously associated with a good outcome) were SHH-positive, but these relationships broke down in noninfants. PTCH1 mutations were common [34% (11/32)], but PTCH1 exon1c hypermethylation, chromosome 9q and REN (KCTD11) genetic loss were not SHH associated, and SMO or SUFU mutation, PTCH1 exon1a or SUFU hypermethylation did not play a role, indicating novel activating mechanisms in the majority of SHH cases. SHH tumors were associated with an absence of COL1A2 methylation. WNT/SHH-independent medulloblastomas [64% (110/173)] showed all histologies, peaked at 3 and 6 years, and were exclusively associated with chromosome 17p loss. Conclusions: Medulloblastoma subgroups are characterized by distinct genomic, epigenomic and clinicopathologic features, and clinical outcomes. Validated array-independent gene expression assays for the rapid assessment of subgroup affiliation in small biopsies provide a basis for their routine clinical application, in strategies including molecular disease-risk stratification and delivery of targeted therapeutics. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 1883-94. (C)2011 AACR.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Schwalbe EC, Lindsey JC, Straughton D, Hogg TL, Cole M, Megahed H, Ryan SL, Lusher ME, Taylor MD, Gilbertson RJ, Ellison DW, Bailey S, Clifford SC

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Clinical Cancer Research

Year: 2011

Volume: 17

Issue: 7

Pages: 1883-1894

Print publication date: 01/04/2011

ISSN (print): 1078-0432

ISSN (electronic): 1557-3265

Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-2210

DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-2210


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