Folia Biologica
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Charles University 

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Fol. Biol. 2006, 52, 71-78

https://doi.org/10.14712/fb2006052030071

Molecular Cytogenetic Stratification of Recurrent Oligodendrogliomas: Utility of Interphase Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (I-FISH)

Zuzana Zemanová1, F. Kramar2, L. Babická1, Š. Ransdorfová3, J. Melicherčíková3, P. Hrabal4, P. Kozler2, K. Michalová1,3

1Centre of Oncocytogenetics, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
2Neurosurgical Department, Central Military Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
3Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
4Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Central Military Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic

Received May 2006
Accepted June 2006

In oligodendroglial brain tumours, losses of chromosomal material of the short arm of chromosome 1 and long arm of chromosome 19 have been shown to predict responsiveness to chemotherapy and prolonged patients’ survival. Therefore, the correct diagnosis of these genetic alterations in tumours of oligodendroglial origin is particularly important. To detect deletions of 1p36 and/or 19q13.3 in oligodendroglial cells we used dual-colour I-FISH with locus-specific DNA probes. I-FISH was performed on isolated whole cell nuclei, prepared from fresh non-fixed tumour tissue samples resuspended in media and processed using a standard cytogenetic procedure, thus bypassing the problem of nuclear truncation. We examined 16 patients with histologically proved oligodendrogliomas (5x oligodendroglioma, 9x anaplastic oligodendroglioma, 2x anaplastic oligoastrocytoma). The results of molecular cytogenetic analyses were correlated with morphological and clinical findings. Molecular cytogenetic analyses were successful in 15 patients and, due to a nonadequate tissue specimen, were uninformative in one patient only. Combined deletions 1p36/19q13 were proved in 13 patients. However, in six of them additional genetic alterations typical for high-grade astrocytoma were found, which could have negative influence on the prognosis. One patient had isolated deletion of 1p36 and another had a normal genetic pattern without any chromosomal alterations. In summary, I-FISH on isolated cell nuclei is a powerful tool for detecting chromosomal aberrations in tumour cells. A systematic molecular cytogenetic analysis may advance diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and targeted treatment of patients with brain tumours.

Funding

Supported by grants IGA MZ CR 1A/8237-3, MSM LC535 and MZO 00064165.

References

14 live references