The molecular classification of astrocytic tumors

Abstract

AimThis study will explore the genetic and epigenetic alterations in astrocytomas, and identify the critical molecular signatures and signaling pathways for prognosis assessment by multiplatform comprehensive analysis.MethodWe performed integration analyses of incorporating DNA methylation, mRNA expression, microRNA expression, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression in 33 astrocytic tumor tissues and 9 non-tumor brain tissues.ResultWe observed that 11,795 DNA methylation sites, 3,627 genes, 136 microRNAs, and 3,334 lncRNAs were significantly differential between tumors and non-tumor brain tissues, and the filtered signatures through comprehensive analysis were significantly enriched in calcium signaling pathway. Furthermore, four signatures involved in calcium signaling pathway and age could contribute to predicting the patients’ overall survival. Additionally, we identified differentially expressed signatures between IDH-mutated and IDH wild-type astrocytic tumors, and complement and coagulation cascades pathway was the most significant pathway in functional enrichment analysis using multiplatform data. The IDH wild-type astrocytomas were divided into two subtypes by Cluster of Cluster (CoC) analysis, one of which was enriched for astrocytomas overexpressed in chemokine signaling pathway.ConclusionThe calcium signaling pathway played a key role in astrocytoma tumorigenesis and prognosis. IDH mutation was a vital biomarker, and resulted in the change of expression level in complement and coagulation cascades pathway. The chemokine signaling pathway could characterize subtypes of IDH wild-type astrocytomas.

LncRNA FOXD1‐AS1 acts as a potential oncogenic biomarker in glioma

“…Our research group has been searching for glioma biomarkers for a few years . To identify transcripts involved in glioma tumorigenesis, messenger RNA (mRNA), lncRNA, and miRNA expression profiles were determined by microarray analysis.…”

Molecular Classification of Diffuse Gliomas

“…For example, through multiplatform comprehensive analysis (DNA methylation, mRNA expression, micro-RNA expression, and long noncoding RNA expression), Mao et al were able to identify differential expression in IDH-mutated versus wildtype astrocytic tumors as well as four signatures in the calcium signalling pathway of prognostic significance. 88 Similar comprehensive analyses, though extensive, could allow for improved tumor classification beyond the 2016 WHO criteria. 88 As molecular testing in gliomas is performed more routinely globally and as more is understood about the clinical significance of these tests, opportunities for targeted therapies will increase.…”

“…88 Similar comprehensive analyses, though extensive, could allow for improved tumor classification beyond the 2016 WHO criteria. 88 As molecular testing in gliomas is performed more routinely globally and as more is understood about the clinical significance of these tests, opportunities for targeted therapies will increase. In the era of personalized cancer treatments, knowledge of unique molecular characteristics which are specific to various types of gliomas can provide molecular targets for future drug development and refinement of current agents available.…”

Genetic and epigenetic contribution to astrocytic gliomas pathogenesis

“…Their results indicated that there are 11 795 DNA methylation sites, 3627 genes, 3334 lncRNAs, and 136 miRNAs that are involved in astrocytic tumors. Moreover, they observed that some genes (i.e., ANK3, TSPYL5, RAB3A, and ABCA2) are hypermethylated which lead to their decreased expression in astrocytic tumors (Mao et al 2017).…”

“…Recently, Mao et al . () reported a molecular classification of astrocytic tumors. Their results indicated that there are 11 795 DNA methylation sites, 3627 genes, 3334 lncRNAs, and 136 miRNAs that are involved in astrocytic tumors.…”