Most frequent molecular and immunohistochemical markers present in selected types of brain tumors

Abstract

Tumors of brain tissue and meninges create a heterogeneous group with various biological behavior, therapy management and differing prognosis. Some of these do not require treatment, some can be cured by surgery and some are rapidly fatal despite treatment. Despite huge progress in tumor research, innovations in diagnostic tools and therapy, prognosis remains, in case of malignant tumor types, very serious. There has been an increased understanding of molecular abnormalities occurring in primary brain tumors. Genome-wide analyses of tumors have improved the knowledge in tumor biology. The aim of the research is to explain the oncogenesis features thus leading to the use of new therapeutic modalities in order to prolong survival rate of patients and at the same time providing satisfactory life quality. This article offers a short review of the basic genetic alterations present with some histological types of brain tumors.

Molecular regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in tumorigenesis (Review)

“…A DNA repair enzyme, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), is another example of epigenetic silencing. It was demonstrated that augmented methylation of the promoter region of the MGMT gene in cancer cells increases the sensitivity of DNA to damage by alkylating agents, such as temozolomide ( 69 ).…”

Apoptosis-related gene expression in tumor tissue samples obtained from patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme

“…The malignant transformation of cells is accompanied and characterized by the disruption of genetic material and the aberrant expression of multiple genes. Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are characterized by heterogeneity within the cell population and are the cause of severe serious medical conditions (1,2). Brain tumor cells with a low growth rate have a benign character and are classified as grade I or II, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the CNS.…”

The effect of temozolomide on apoptosis-related gene expression changes in glioblastoma cells

“…The changes in the regulation of cell growth and programmed cell death signalling might result in an uncontrolled proliferation and disorganized growth of tissue cells, followed by tumor formation. Malignant gliomas are one of the most frequent and the most aggressive primary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) and belong to very serious medical issues nowadays (1,2). Glioblastoma (GB), WHO grade IV of malignancy, is the most aggressive and the most frequent primary brain tumor of the CNS with account for 60-70% of all gliomas (3).…”