Microsatellite Instability in Pediatric High Grade Glioma Is Associated with Genomic Profile and Differential Target Gene Inactivation
2011

Microsatellite Instability in Pediatric High Grade Glioma

Sample size: 144 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Viana-Pereira Marta, Lee Alicia, Popov Sergey, Bax Dorine A., Al-Sarraj Safa, Bridges Leslie R., Stávale João N., Hargrave Darren, Jones Chris, Reis Rui M.

Primary Institution: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

Hypothesis

Is microsatellite instability (MSI) more prevalent in pediatric high grade gliomas compared to adult cases?

Conclusion

The study found that microsatellite instability is significantly more common in pediatric high grade gliomas than in adults.

Supporting Evidence

  • MSI was found in 19.7% of pediatric cases compared to 6.8% in adults.
  • 10 out of 13 pediatric MSI cases showed downregulation of MLH1 expression.
  • MSI-positive pediatric gliomas exhibited a stable genomic profile.

Takeaway

Kids with a type of brain cancer called high grade glioma often have a special change in their DNA called microsatellite instability, which is less common in adults with the same cancer.

Methodology

The study analyzed DNA from 144 patients (71 pediatric and 73 adults) to determine MSI status using a panel of five markers and assessed gene expression and mutations.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the retrospective nature and lack of informed consent for all samples.

Limitations

The study was retrospective and some samples lacked matched normal DNA for comparison.

Participant Demographics

71 pediatric patients aged 4 months to 20 years and 73 adult patients aged 32 to 79 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.02

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020588

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