Molecular Immunohistochemical Profile of Angiocentric Glioma

Angiocentric glioma is a rare, World Health Organization grade I tumor that is seen predominantly in children and young adults and typically presents with seizures. Histologically, it shows features of both infiltrating glioma and ependymoma.

We examined molecular immunohistochemical markers which could help in distinguishing this entity from its differential diagnostic considerations.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic features of angiocentric gliomas and performed immunohistochemical staining for isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH-1) (R132H), p53, ATRX, BRAF V600E, Ki-67, and H3 K27M on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Seven cases in total were found and included six excisional specimens and one biopsy. ATRX staining was retained in all cases. There was no evidence of staining with antibodies to IDH-1 (R132H), H3 K27M, or BRAF V600E. Five tumors showed no staining with antibody to p53 and two tumors showed less than 5% positivity. Ki-67 indices were less than 1% in five tumors, 4-5% in one tumor, and 9-10% in one tumor.

In conclusion, the immunohistochemical markers for ATRX, p53, IDH-1 (R132H), BRAF V600E, H3 K27M show wild-type staining, potentially aiding in avoiding misdiagnoses in cases morphologically similar to other low-grade gliomas. Ki-67 labeling indices are low in most tumors.