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Updated: Sep 7, 2025

Modeling Astrocytoma Pathogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo Using Cortical Astrocytes or Neural Stem Cells from Conditional, Genetically Engineered Mice
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NTRK2 gene fusions are uncommon in pilocytic astrocytoma

Daniel Antunes Moreno1, Aline Paixão Becker2, Cristovam Scapulatempo-Neto3

  • 1Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, 1331 Antenor Duarte Vilela St, 14784-400, Barretos, SP, Brazil.

Molecular Biology Reports
|June 17, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

NTRK2 alterations are rare in pilocytic astrocytoma, a common pediatric brain tumor. This study found no NTRK2 gene rearrangements or copy number alterations in 69 cases, suggesting they are not common therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neuro-oncology
  • Molecular diagnostics in brain tumors

Background:

  • Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common pediatric glioma.
  • Surgical resection is challenging for deep-seated tumors.
  • Targetable genetic alterations like NTRK fusions offer new therapeutic avenues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of NTRK2 alterations in Brazilian pilocytic astrocytomas.
  • To assess the potential of NTRK2 as a therapeutic target in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed 69 pilocytic astrocytoma samples previously characterized for BRAF and FGFR1.
  • Utilized dual-color break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect NTRK2 alterations.

Main Results:

  • NTRK2 alterations were evaluated in 62 out of 69 cases using FISH.
  • No NTRK2 gene rearrangements or copy number alterations were detected in the studied samples.

Conclusions:

  • NTRK2 alterations are infrequent genetic events in pilocytic astrocytomas.
  • These findings indicate NTRK2 alterations are unlikely to be common targets for therapy in pilocytic astrocytoma.
Keywords:
FISH.Gene fusionsNTRK2Pilocytic astrocytomaTyrosine kinases

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