Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Visualization of Chondrocyte Intercalation and Directional Proliferation via Zebrabow Clonal Cell Analysis in the Embryonic Meckel’s Cartilage
06:40

Visualization of Chondrocyte Intercalation and Directional Proliferation via Zebrabow Clonal Cell Analysis in the Embryonic Meckel’s Cartilage

Published on: October 21, 2015

From Histology to Multi-Omics: Review of Chordoma Classification and Its Clinical Implications

Szymon Piotr Baluszek1, Paulina Kober2, Mateusz Bujko1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland.

Cells
|May 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This review synthesizes chordoma classification frameworks, identifying key molecular and pathological features. These findings aim to improve prognostication and guide the development of targeted therapies for this rare axial skeleton cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Chordoma is a rare axial skeleton malignancy with poor survival rates and no approved systemic therapies.
  • Accurate molecular and pathological classification is crucial for prognostication and identifying therapeutic targets.
  • Current molecular classification of chordoma lags behind other neoplasms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize proposed classification frameworks for chordoma across multiple domains.
  • To identify cross-cutting themes with prognostic and theranostic value.
  • To advance the understanding of chordoma biology for improved patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of studies from PubMed and CENTRAL databases.
  • Searched using keywords related to chordoma classification and molecular analysis (DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, methylation, copy number).
  • Included original research articles with >1 patient and classification/subtyping frameworks; excluded reviews, case reports, and non-English articles.

Main Results:

  • Synthesized data from 108 studies involving 6349 individuals.
  • Identified four cross-cutting themes with prognostic and theranostic potential: copy number alterations (e.g., CDKN2A/B loss), SWI/SNF complex dysfunction, stroma-tumor ratio, and immune microenvironment heterogeneity.
  • Results were synthesized qualitatively across histological, radiological, surgical, genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic domains.

Conclusions:

  • Established classification frameworks highlight key molecular and pathological features of chordoma.
  • Identified themes like CDKN2A/B loss and SWI/SNF dysfunction offer prognostic and potential therapeutic insights.
  • Further research into these domains can improve chordoma classification, prognostication, and treatment strategies.
Keywords:
CDKN2A/BDNA methylationTGF-βbrachyurychordomachromosomal instabilitycopy number alterationsmolecular classificationtumor microenvironment

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