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Predicting which children are at risk for ependymoma relapse
Kristina Sowar1, Jennifer Straessle, Andrew M Donson
1University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center (UCDHSC) and Denver Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado 80045, USA.
Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|April 1, 2006
Summary
Gene expression profiling can identify children with ependymoma at high risk for relapse. This approach may enable early intervention for better outcomes in pediatric brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Ependymomas represent 6-12% of pediatric intracranial tumors.
- Despite treatment, approximately 50% of patients experience tumor recurrence with poor prognoses.
- Current clinical findings do not reliably predict ependymoma recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gene expression profiling for distinguishing high-risk ependymoma patients at diagnosis.
- To identify potential candidates for early innovative treatments based on genetic markers.
Main Methods:
- RNA extraction from 13 ependymoma specimens (7 recurrent, 6 non-recurrent).
- Affymetrix HG-U133 plus 2.0 microarray analysis.
- Data analysis using GeneSpring 7.0 and Prediction Analysis of Microarrays (PAM) software.
Main Results:
- A minimal 3-gene subset (PLEK, NF-kappaB2, LOC374491) was identified.
- This gene subset accurately distinguished between tumors with and without recurrence.
- PLEK (pleckstrin), NF-kappaB2 (nuclear factor kappa beta-2), and LOC374491 (TPTE and PTEN homologous inositol phosphatase pseudogene) were the key genes.
Conclusions:
- Gene expression profiling shows potential for identifying children at high risk for ependymoma relapse.
- This molecular approach may complement clinical findings for risk stratification.
- Early identification of high-risk patients can facilitate timely therapeutic interventions.