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Mesenchymal/radioresistant traits in granular astrocytomas: evidence from a combined clinical and molecular approach
Author(s) -
Senetta Rebecca,
Mellai Marta,
Manini Claudia,
Castellano Isabella,
Bertero Luca,
Pittaro Alessandra,
Schiffer Davide,
Boldorini Renzo,
Cassoni Paola
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12944
Subject(s) - radioresistance , immunohistochemistry , glioma , pathology , biology , cancer research , medicine , radiation therapy
Aims Granular‐cell astrocytomas ( GCA s) are morphologically characterized by a prominent component of granular periodic acid–Schiff‐positive cells, and show increased aggressiveness as compared with ‘ordinary’ astrocytomas. The aim of this study was to investigate, in a small series of three GCA s, the expression of mesenchymal/radioresistance‐associated biomarkers [such as chitinase‐3‐like protein 1 ( YKL ‐40), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c‐Met), and caveolin 1 (Cav1)] that could contribute to the poor outcome associated with this glioma subgroup. Methods and results Our results show that GCA s, according to the new molecular glioma classifications, consistently show a prognostically negative molecular trait ( IDH 1wt‐ ATRX noloss‐1p/19q nocodeletion). Furthermore, GCA s significantly differed from a control series of 33 ‘conventional’ astrocytomas, because of diffuse and strong immunohistochemical coexpression of YKL ‐40, c‐Met, and Cav1. Conclusions Our findings show that specific morphological traits, such as a granular‐cell component, could represent useful features in guiding the search for prognostic and predictive biomarkers that could eventually be therapy‐targetable (e.g. Met inhibitors aimed at reducing radioresistance).