Unlocking the power of gene expression: Molecular classification of brain tumors

Jan. 19, 2017

Overview

Joon H. Uhm, M.D., Medical Oncology, Robert B. Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Daniel Honore Lachance, M.D., Neurology, and Ian F. Parney, M.D., Ph.D., Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, discuss how the molecular makeup of brain tumors can be used to identify categories of gliomas, each with different clinical features and outcomes.

5 groups of 3 genetic mutations

  • Triple positive (1p/19 codeletion, IDH mutation and TERT promoter mutation)
  • TERT and IDH mutations
  • Only IDH mutations
  • Triple negative (no mutation)
  • Only TERT mutations

The classifications allow gliomas to be grouped by important shared characteristics, which can help predict both the prognosis and kind of therapy that will be most effective for each patient.