Genetic variations in recurrent astrocytic tumors detected by restriction landmark genomic scanning

The genetic mechanisms associated with recurrence of advanced astrocytic tumors are poorly understood. We therefore analyzed 24 biopsy specimens from 12 patients with a recurrent astrocytic tumor by a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis method, termed restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS). Four spot changes were commonly present in the primary astrocytomas, indicating that the corresponding gene alterations were early events in the development of this tumor type. Altered spots were more frequent and of different distribution in recurrent tumors than in the primary astrocytomas. In particular, specifically increased intensity for spots on chromosomes 9-12 and 18 were observed in the secondary tumors, suggesting a relation with recurrence. The same spot changes observed in primary tumors were also found in the respective secondary lesions but with strikingly different densities in some cases, suggesting increased genetic instability. The altered segments provide important candidate regions for the search for genes involved in events leading to progression and more malignant recurrent tumors.