Amplification of the anonymous marker D17S67 in malignant astrocytomas

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for chromosome arms 9p, 10p, 10q, and 17p and amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene have been identified as frequent genetic changes in malignant astrocytomas. We have found amplification of the anonymous marker D17S67 on chromosome arm 17p in 10% (3 of 30 cases) of astrocytomas of the highest malignancy grade. The tumors with D17S67 amplification displayed other genetic changes on chromosome 17, including additional amplifications and deletions. All three patients with D17S67 amplification developed severe brain edema and died within 1 month after operation.