The age of adult pilocytic astrocytoma cells

Abstract

Adult pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) have been regarded as indistinguishable from pediatric PAs in terms of genome-wide expression and methylation patterns. It has been unclear whether adult PAs arise early in life and remain asymptomatic until adulthood, or whether they develop during adulthood. We sought to determine the age and origin of adult human PAs using two types of “marks” in the genomic DNA. First, we analyzed the DNA methylation patterns of adult and pediatric PAs to distinguish between PAs of different anatomic locations (n = 257 PA and control brain tissues). Second, we measured the concentration of nuclear bomb test-derived 14C in genomic DNA (n = 14 cases), which indicates the time point of the formation of human cell populations. Our data suggest that adult and pediatric PAs developing in the infratentorial brain are closely related and potentially develop from precursor cells early in life, whereas supratentorial PAs might show age and location-specific differences.

A High Grade Astrocytoma with Pilocytic Morphology in a 5-Month-Old American Bulldog

“…Though there have been previous reports of astrocytoma in young dogs, it is uncommon [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. In humans, PA is most often a pediatric tumor, but has been reported in all ages [ 8 , 23 ]. In humans, PA is the most common primary brain tumor in pediatric patients (ages—0–19-years-old) and is associated with a single abnormality in the mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) pathway [ 8 , 24 ].…”

“…In humans, PA is most often a pediatric tumor, but has been reported in all ages [ 8 , 23 ]. In humans, PA is the most common primary brain tumor in pediatric patients (ages—0–19-years-old) and is associated with a single abnormality in the mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) pathway [ 8 , 24 ]. DNA methylation patterns in pediatric and adult PAs in humans may suggest that infratentorial tumors are closely related, whereas those in the supratentorial brain may have age and location-specific differences [ 8 ].…”

“…In humans, PA is the most common primary brain tumor in pediatric patients (ages—0–19-years-old) and is associated with a single abnormality in the mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) pathway [ 8 , 24 ]. DNA methylation patterns in pediatric and adult PAs in humans may suggest that infratentorial tumors are closely related, whereas those in the supratentorial brain may have age and location-specific differences [ 8 ]. Future investigation into the genetics of canine gliomas, including morphologic subtypes, may improve classification and prognostication.…”

“…Pilocytic Astrocytoma (PA) is a common pediatric tumor in humans, accounting for 15.4% of childhood and adolescent brain tumors [ 7 , 8 ]. In the revised 5th edition of the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, PA is classified as WHO Grade I in the group “circumscribed astrocytic gliomas” [ 9 ].…”

Non-surgical approach to a paediatric pilocytic astrocytoma with MRI follow-up. Case report and brief literature review

“…The most common treatment option is surgery; however, due to the many early and late postoperative complications and the relatively benign nature of the tumour, a 'waitand-see' approach has recently been proposed whereby the patient is examined at 3-6 months to monitor the imaging features of the tumour [4][5][6]. The most common postoperative complications are postoperative haematoma, intracranial hypertension, subdural hygroma, and neurological deficits with moderate-to-severe impairment [7]. The imaging investigation of choice for diagnosis and followup of this type of tumour is nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).…”