Evaluation of the prognostic potential of the genes present in 9q34.3 in pilocytic astrocytomas

Abstract

Among the major subtypes of glioma, pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I) mainly affect children and, generally, have a well-defined and indolent nature. However, it is estimated that up to 20% of patients will present a poor prognosis, recurrence, growth of the lesions that were not totally resected, dissemination by cerebrospinal fluid and/or death. In 2016, our research group described chromosomal loss in region chr9q34.3 of pilocytic astrocytomas diagnosed at a later age (18 and 23 years) or with -146: G> A TERT mutation. Indeed, unlike children, who have a 90% survival rate in 5 years, adults have approximately 50% of survival rate. Therefore, the loss of this region may be related with poor prognosis of the patients. Thus, the objective of this project is to evaluate the potential prognosis of the genes present in 9q34.3 in pilocytic astrocytomas. In silico analysis of all the genes present in 9p34.3 will be performed in order to select the gene that is most likely involved in the genesis of this tumor type (based on function and survival in Oncomine and TCGA databases). The expression of selected gene will be evaluated by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray of pilocytic astrocytomas. The expression pattern will be correlated with the clinicopathological data of the patients. It is expected to find genes that are eventually correlated with a worse prognosis of this tumor type. (AU)