Astrocytoma pathophysiology: Difference between revisions

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==Microscopic Pathology==
==Microscopic Pathology==
* Histologic diagnosis with [[tissue]] [[biopsy]] will normally reveal an infiltrative character suggestive of the slow growing nature of the [[tumor]]. The tumor may be cavitating, [[pseudocyst]]-forming, or noncavitating. Appearance is usually white-gray, firm, and almost indistinguishable from normal white matter.
* Histologic diagnosis with [[tissue]] [[biopsy]] will normally reveal an infiltrative character suggestive of the slow growing nature of the [[tumor]]. The tumor may be cavitating, [[pseudocyst]]-forming, or noncavitating. Appearance is usually white-gray, firm, and almost indistinguishable from normal white matter.
==Genetics==
===Low-Grade Gliomas===
* Genomic alterations involving [[BRAF]] activation are very common in sporadic cases of pilocytic astrocytoma, resulting in activation of the [[ERK/MAPK]] pathway.
* [[BRAF]] activation in pilocytic astrocytoma occurs most commonly through a KIAA1549-[[BRAF]] [[gene]] fusion, producing a [[fusion protein]] that lacks the [[BRAF]] regulatory domain.<ref name="pmid18716556">{{cite journal| author=Bar EE, Lin A, Tihan T, Burger PC, Eberhart CG| title=Frequent gains at chromosome 7q34 involving BRAF in pilocytic astrocytoma. | journal=J Neuropathol Exp Neurol | year= 2008 | volume= 67 | issue= 9 | pages= 878-87 | pmid=18716556 | doi=10.1097/NEN.0b013e3181845622 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=18716556  }} </ref><ref name="pmid19373855">{{cite journal| author=Forshew T, Tatevossian RG, Lawson AR, Ma J, Neale G, Ogunkolade BW et al.| title=Activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway: a signature genetic defect in posterior fossa pilocytic astrocytomas. | journal=J Pathol | year= 2009 | volume= 218 | issue= 2 | pages= 172-81 | pmid=19373855 | doi=10.1002/path.2558 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19373855  }} </ref><ref name="pmid18974108">{{cite journal| author=Jones DT, Kocialkowski S, Liu L, Pearson DM, Bäcklund LM, Ichimura K et al.| title=Tandem duplication producing a novel oncogenic BRAF fusion gene defines the majority of pilocytic astrocytomas. | journal=Cancer Res | year= 2008 | volume= 68 | issue= 21 | pages= 8673-7 | pmid=18974108 | doi=10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-2097 | pmc=PMC2577184 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=18974108  }} </ref><ref name="pmid19363522">{{cite journal| author=Jones DT, Kocialkowski S, Liu L, Pearson DM, Ichimura K, Collins VP| title=Oncogenic RAF1 rearrangement and a novel BRAF mutation as alternatives to KIAA1549:BRAF fusion in activating the MAPK pathway in pilocytic astrocytoma. | journal=Oncogene | year= 2009 | volume= 28 | issue= 20 | pages= 2119-23 | pmid=19363522 | doi=10.1038/onc.2009.73 | pmc=PMC2685777 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19363522  }} </ref> This fusion is seen in most infratentorial and midline pilocytic astrocytomas, but is present at lower frequency in supratentorial (hemispheric) [[tumor]]s.<ref name="pmid19543740">{{cite journal| author=Korshunov A, Meyer J, Capper D, Christians A, Remke M, Witt H et al.| title=Combined molecular analysis of BRAF and IDH1 distinguishes pilocytic astrocytoma from diffuse astrocytoma. | journal=Acta Neuropathol | year= 2009 | volume= 118 | issue= 3 | pages= 401-5 | pmid=19543740 | doi=10.1007/s00401-009-0550-z | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19543740  }} </ref><ref name="pmid20044755">{{cite journal| author=Horbinski C, Hamilton RL, Nikiforov Y, Pollack IF| title=Association of molecular alterations, including BRAF, with biology and outcome in pilocytic astrocytomas. | journal=Acta Neuropathol | year= 2010 | volume= 119 | issue= 5 | pages= 641-9 | pmid=20044755 | doi=10.1007/s00401-009-0634-9 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20044755  }} </ref> <ref name="pmid19794125">{{cite journal| author=Yu J, Deshmukh H, Gutmann RJ, Emnett RJ, Rodriguez FJ, Watson MA et al.| title=Alterations of BRAF and HIPK2 loci predominate in sporadic pilocytic astrocytoma. | journal=Neurology | year= 2009 | volume= 73 | issue= 19 | pages= 1526-31 | pmid=19794125 | doi=10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181c0664a | pmc=PMC2777068 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19794125  }} </ref><ref name="pmid22157620">{{cite journal| author=Lin A, Rodriguez FJ, Karajannis MA, Williams SC, Legault G, Zagzag D et al.| title=BRAF alterations in primary glial and glioneuronal neoplasms of the central nervous system with identification of 2 novel KIAA1549:BRAF fusion variants. | journal=J Neuropathol Exp Neurol | year= 2012 | volume= 71 | issue= 1 | pages= 66-72 | pmid=22157620 | doi=10.1097/NEN.0b013e31823f2cb0 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22157620  }} </ref><ref name="pmid21610142">{{cite journal| author=Hawkins C, Walker E, Mohamed N, Zhang C, Jacob K, Shirinian M et al.| title=BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion predicts better clinical outcome in pediatric low-grade astrocytoma. | journal=Clin Cancer Res | year= 2011 | volume= 17 | issue= 14 | pages= 4790-8 | pmid=21610142 | doi=10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-11-0034 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=21610142  }} </ref>
* Presence of the [[BRAF]]-KIAA1549 fusion predicted for better clinical outcome (progression-free survival [PFS] and overall survival) in one report that described children with incompletely resected low-grade [[glioma]]s.<ref name="pmid22492957">{{cite journal| author=Horbinski C, Nikiforova MN, Hagenkord JM, Hamilton RL, Pollack IF| title=Interplay among BRAF, p16, p53, and MIB1 in pediatric low-grade gliomas. | journal=Neuro Oncol | year= 2012 | volume= 14 | issue= 6 | pages= 777-89 | pmid=22492957 | doi=10.1093/neuonc/nos077 | pmc=PMC3367847 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22492957  }} </ref> However, other factors such as p16 [[deletion]] and [[tumor]] location may modify the impact of [[BRAF]] mutation on outcome. Progression to high-grade [[glioma]] is rare for pediatric low-grade [[glioma]] with the [[BRAF]]-KIAA1549 fusion. <ref name="pmid25667294">{{cite journal| author=Mistry M, Zhukova N, Merico D, Rakopoulos P, Krishnatry R, Shago M et al.| title=BRAF mutation and CDKN2A deletion define a clinically distinct subgroup of childhood secondary high-grade glioma. | journal=J Clin Oncol | year= 2015 | volume= 33 | issue= 9 | pages= 1015-22 | pmid=25667294 | doi=10.1200/JCO.2014.58.3922 | pmc=PMC4356711 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=25667294  }} </ref>
* [[BRAF]] activation through the KIAA1549-[[BRAF]] fusion has also been described in other pediatric low-grade [[glioma]]s (e.g.,pilomyxoid astrocytoma).
* Other genomic alterations in pilocytic astrocytomas that can also activate the [[ERK/MAPK]] pathway (e.g., alternative [[BRAF]] gene fusions, [[RAF1]] rearrangements, [[RAS]] mutations, and [[BRAF]] [[V600E]] point mutations) are less commonly observed.<ref name="pmid17712732">{{cite journal| author=Janzarik WG, Kratz CP, Loges NT, Olbrich H, Klein C, Schäfer T et al.| title=Further evidence for a somatic KRAS mutation in a pilocytic astrocytoma. | journal=Neuropediatrics | year= 2007 | volume= 38 | issue= 2 | pages= 61-3 | pmid=17712732 | doi=10.1055/s-2007-984451 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=17712732  }} </ref> BRAF V600E point mutations are observed in nonpilocytic pediatric low-grade [[glioma]]s as well, including approximately two-thirds of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma cases and in [[ganglioglioma]] and desmoplastic infantile [[ganglioglioma]]. One retrospective study of 53 children with gangliogliomas demonstrated [[BRAF V600E]] staining in approximately 40% of tumors. Five-year recurrence-free survival was worse in the [[V600E]]-mutated tumors (about 60%) than in the [[tumor]]s that did not stain for [[V600E]] (about 80%). The frequency of the [[BRAF V600E]] mutation was significantly higher in pediatric low-grade [[glioma]] that transformed to high-grade glioma (8 of 18 cases) than was the frequency of the mutation in cases that did not transform (10 of 167 cases).<ref name="pmid23609006">{{cite journal| author=Dahiya S, Haydon DH, Alvarado D, Gurnett CA, Gutmann DH, Leonard JR| title=BRAF(V600E) mutation is a negative prognosticator in pediatric ganglioglioma. | journal=Acta Neuropathol | year= 2013 | volume= 125 | issue= 6 | pages= 901-10 | pmid=23609006 | doi=10.1007/s00401-013-1120-y | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23609006  }} </ref>
* As expected, given the role of NF1 deficiency in activating the [[ERK/MAPK]] pathway, activating [[BRAF]] genomic alterations are uncommon in pilocytic astrocytoma associated with [[NF1]].
* Activating mutations in [[FGFR1 and PTPN11]], as well as [[NTRK2]] fusion [[gene]]s, have also been identified in noncerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas. In pediatric grade II diffuse astrocytomas, the most common alterations reported are rearrangements in the MYB family of [[transcription]] factors in up to 53% of [[tumor]]s. <ref name="pmid23583981">{{cite journal| author=Zhang J, Wu G, Miller CP, Tatevossian RG, Dalton JD, Tang B et al.| title=Whole-genome sequencing identifies genetic alterations in pediatric low-grade gliomas. | journal=Nat Genet | year= 2013 | volume= 45 | issue= 6 | pages= 602-12 | pmid=23583981 | doi=10.1038/ng.2611 | pmc=PMC3727232 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23583981  }} </ref>
* Most children with [[tuberous sclerosis]] have a mutation in one of two [[tuberous sclerosis]] genes (TSC1/[[hamartin]] or TSC2/[[tuberin]]). Either of these mutations results in an overexpression of the [[mTOR]] complex 1. These children are at risk of developing subependymal giant cell astrocytomas, in addition to cortical tubers and subependymal [[nodules]].
===High-Grade Astrocytomas===
* Pediatric high-grade gliomas, especially glioblastoma multiforme, are biologically distinct from those arising in adults.<ref name="pmid20479398">{{cite journal| author=Paugh BS, Qu C, Jones C, Liu Z, Adamowicz-Brice M, Zhang J et al.| title=Integrated molecular genetic profiling of pediatric high-grade gliomas reveals key differences with the adult disease. | journal=J Clin Oncol | year= 2010 | volume= 28 | issue= 18 | pages= 3061-8 | pmid=20479398 | doi=10.1200/JCO.2009.26.7252 | pmc=PMC2903336 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20479398  }} </ref><ref name="pmid20570930">{{cite journal| author=Bax DA, Mackay A, Little SE, Carvalho D, Viana-Pereira M, Tamber N et al.| title=A distinct spectrum of copy number aberrations in pediatric high-grade gliomas. | journal=Clin Cancer Res | year= 2010 | volume= 16 | issue= 13 | pages= 3368-77 | pmid=20570930 | doi=10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-10-0438 | pmc=PMC2896553 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20570930  }} </ref><ref name="pmid20052518">{{cite journal| author=Ward SJ, Karakoula K, Phipps KP, Harkness W, Hayward R, Thompson D et al.| title=Cytogenetic analysis of paediatric astrocytoma using comparative genomic hybridisation and fluorescence in-situ hybridisation. | journal=J Neurooncol | year= 2010 | volume= 98 | issue= 3 | pages= 305-18 | pmid=20052518 | doi=10.1007/s11060-009-0081-4 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20052518  }} </ref><ref name="pmid20725730">{{cite journal| author=Pollack IF, Hamilton RL, Sobol RW, Nikiforova MN, Lyons-Weiler MA, LaFramboise WA et al.| title=IDH1 mutations are common in malignant gliomas arising in adolescents: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. | journal=Childs Nerv Syst | year= 2011 | volume= 27 | issue= 1 | pages= 87-94 | pmid=20725730 | doi=10.1007/s00381-010-1264-1 | pmc=PMC3014378 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20725730  }} </ref> Pediatric high-grade gliomas, compared with adult [[tumor]]s, less frequently have PTEN and EGFRgenomic alterations, and more frequently have PDGF/PDGFR genomic alterations and mutations in [[histone]] H3.3genes. Although it was believed that pediatric glioblastoma multiforme tumors were more closely related to adult secondary glioblastoma multiforme tumors in which there is stepwise transformation from lower-grade into higher-grade gliomas and in which most tumors have IDH1 and IDH2 mutations, the latter mutations are rarely observed in childhood glioblastoma multiforme tumors.<ref name="pmid22286061">{{cite journal| author=Schwartzentruber J, Korshunov A, Liu XY, Jones DT, Pfaff E, Jacob K et al.| title=Driver mutations in histone H3.3 and chromatin remodelling genes in paediatric glioblastoma. | journal=Nature | year= 2012 | volume= 482 | issue= 7384 | pages= 226-31 | pmid=22286061 | doi=10.1038/nature10833 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22286061  }} </ref><ref name="pmid22286216">{{cite journal| author=Wu G, Broniscer A, McEachron TA, Lu C, Paugh BS, Becksfort J et al.| title=Somatic histone H3 alterations in pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas and non-brainstem glioblastomas. | journal=Nat Genet | year= 2012 | volume= 44 | issue= 3 | pages= 251-3 | pmid=22286216 | doi=10.1038/ng.1102 | pmc=PMC3288377 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22286216  }} </ref>
* Based on epigenetic patterns (DNA methylation), pediatric glioblastoma multiforme tumors are separated into relatively distinct subgroups with distinctive [[chromosome]] copy number gains/losses and gene mutations.<ref name="pmid23079654">{{cite journal| author=Sturm D, Witt H, Hovestadt V, Khuong-Quang DA, Jones DT, Konermann C et al.| title=Hotspot mutations in H3F3A and IDH1 define distinct epigenetic and biological subgroups of glioblastoma. | journal=Cancer Cell | year= 2012 | volume= 22 | issue= 4 | pages= 425-37 | pmid=23079654 | doi=10.1016/j.ccr.2012.08.024 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23079654  }} </ref>
* Two subgroups have identifiable recurrent H3F3A mutations, suggesting disrupted epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, with one subgroup having mutations at K27 ([[lysine]] 27) and the other group having mutations at G34 ([[glycine]] 34). The subgroups are the following:
* H3F3A [[mutation]] at K27: The K27 cluster occurs predominately in mid-childhood (median age, approximately 10 years), is mainly midline ([[thalamus]], [[brainstem]], and [[spinal cord]]), and carries a very poor [[prognosis]]. These tumors also frequently have TP53 mutations. Thalamic high-grade gliomas in older adolescents and young adults also show a high rate of H3F3A K27 [[mutation]]s.
* H3F3A mutation at G34: The second H3F3A mutation tumor cluster, the G34 grouping, is found in somewhat older children and young adults (median age, 18 years), arises exclusively in the [[cerebral cortex]], and carries a somewhat better prognosis. The G34 clusters also have [[TP53]] [[mutation]]s and widespread [[hypomethylation]] across the whole [[genome]].
* The H3F3A K27 and G34 mutations appear to be unique to high-grade gliomas and have not been observed in other pediatric [[brain]] tumors.<ref name="pmid23429371">{{cite journal| author=Gielen GH, Gessi M, Hammes J, Kramm CM, Waha A, Pietsch T| title=H3F3A K27M mutation in pediatric CNS tumors: a marker for diffuse high-grade astrocytomas. | journal=Am J Clin Pathol | year= 2013 | volume= 139 | issue= 3 | pages= 345-9 | pmid=23429371 | doi=10.1309/AJCPABOHBC33FVMO | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23429371  }} </ref> Both mutations induce distinctive DNA methylation patterns compared with the patterns observed in IDH-mutated tumors, which occur in young adults.<ref name="pmid22661320">{{cite journal| author=Khuong-Quang DA, Buczkowicz P, Rakopoulos P, Liu XY, Fontebasso AM, Bouffet E et al.| title=K27M mutation in histone H3.3 defines clinically and biologically distinct subgroups of pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas. | journal=Acta Neuropathol | year= 2012 | volume= 124 | issue= 3 | pages= 439-47 | pmid=22661320 | doi=10.1007/s00401-012-0998-0 | pmc=PMC3422615 | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22661320  }} </ref>
* Other pediatric glioblastoma multiforme subgroups include the RTK PDGFRA and mesenchymal clusters, both of which occur over a wide age range, affecting both children and adults. The RTK PDGFRA and mesenchymal subtypes are comprised predominantly of cortical tumors, with cerebellar glioblastoma multiforme tumors being rarely observed; they both carry a poor prognosis.
* Childhood secondary high-grade [[glioma]] (high-grade [[glioma]] that is preceded by a low-grade [[glioma]]) is uncommon (2.9% in a study of 886 patients). No pediatric low-grade [[glioma]]s with the BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion transformed to a high-grade glioma, whereas low-grade gliomas with the BRAF V600E mutations were associated with increased risk of transformation. Approximately 40% of patients (7 of 18) with secondary high-grade [[glioma]] had BRAF [[V600E]] mutations, with CDKN2A alterations present in 57% of cases (8 of 14).


==Histopathological Video==
==Histopathological Video==

Revision as of 20:00, 24 August 2015

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shivali Marketkar, M.B.B.S. [2]; Ammu Susheela, M.D. [3]

Overview

On gross pathology, compression, invasion and destruction of brain parenchyma are characteristic findings of astrocytoma. On microscopic histopathological analysis, gemistocytes, rosenthal fibres and hyalinisation of blood vessels are characteristic findings of astrocytoma.

Pathophysiology

Gross Pathology

A gross specimen of gemistocytic astrocytoma
  • Astrocytoma causes regional effects by compression, invasion, and destruction of brain parenchyma, arterial and venous hypoxia, competition for nutrients, release of metabolic end products (e.g., free radicals, altered electrolytes, neurotransmitters), and release and recruitment of cellular mediators e.g., cytokines) that disrupt normal parenchymal function. Secondary clinical sequelae may be caused by elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) attributable to direct mass effect, increased blood volume, or increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume.[1]

Microscopic Pathology

  • Histologic diagnosis with tissue biopsy will normally reveal an infiltrative character suggestive of the slow growing nature of the tumor. The tumor may be cavitating, pseudocyst-forming, or noncavitating. Appearance is usually white-gray, firm, and almost indistinguishable from normal white matter.

Histopathological Video

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References

  1. "National Caner Institute Astrocytoma".

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