Implications of tumor location on subtypes of medulloblastoma

Wan Yee Teo, Jianhe Shen, Jack Meng Fen Su, Alexander Yu, Jian Wang, Wing Yuk Chow, Xiaonan Li, Jeremy Jones, Robert Dauser, William Whitehead, Adekunle M. Adesina, Murali Chintagumpala, Tsz Kwong Man, Ching C. Lau

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) comprises of four molecular subtypes, Sonic hedgehog (SHH), Wingless (WNT), Groups 3 and 4. WNT-subtype MBs were found to arise from midline of the brainstem occupying the fourth ventricle while SHH-subtype occupied the cerebellar hemisphere in a small subset of patients. Procedure: We tested this hypothesis in a large cohort of pediatric MBs comprising of all four molecular subtypes. Results: We validated in the first comprehensive analysis of tumor location of 60 human MBs representative of the four molecular subtypes, that hemispheric tumors are significantly associated with SHH-subtype MBs while midline tumors with WNT-subtype, Group 3 and 4 MBs (P<0.001). Nearly half of SHH-subtype MBs were midline. Conclusions: Tumor location should not be generalized to MB subtypes. SHH-subtype MBs are not exclusively hemispheric and hemispheric MBs are not always SHH-activated. It is imperative to identify subtypes in conjunction with tumor location when exploring currently available targeted therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1408-1410
Number of pages3
JournalPediatric Blood and Cancer
Volume60
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013

Keywords

  • Medulloblastoma
  • Molecular subtypes
  • Pediatric
  • Tumor location

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Hematology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Implications of tumor location on subtypes of medulloblastoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this