Neuropediatrics 2007; 38(2): 61-63
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-984451
Rapid Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Further Evidence for a Somatic KRAS Mutation in a Pilocytic Astrocytoma

W. G. Janzarik 1 , 3 , C. P. Kratz 2 , N. T. Loges 3 , H. Olbrich 3 , C. Klein 2 , T. Schäfer 4 , W. Scheurlen 5 , W. Roggendorf 6 , C. Weiller 1 , C. Niemeyer 2 , R. Korinthenberg 3 , S. Pfister 7 , 8 , H. Omran 3
  • 1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 3Department of Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disorders, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 4Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 5Cnopf'sche Kinderklinik Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
  • 6Department of Neuropathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
  • 7Department of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg Germany
  • 8Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 15.3.2007

accepted 15.5.2007

Publication Date:
22 August 2007 (online)

Abstract

Astrocytomas are the most common brain tumors of childhood. However, knowledge of the molecular etiology of astrocytomas WHO grade I and II is limited. Germline mutations in the Ras-guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein, neurofibromin, in individuals with neurofibromatosis type I predispose to pilocytic astrocytomas. This association suggests that constitutive activation of the Ras signaling pathway plays a fundamental role in astrocytoma development. We screened 25 WHO I and II astrocytomas for mutations of PTPN11, NRAS, KRAS, and HRAS genes and identified the somatic G12A KRAS mutation in one pilocytic astrocytoma. These data suggest that Ras is rarely mutated in these tumors. Analyzed astrocytomas without mutations in Ras or neurofibromin may harbor mutations in other proteins of this pathway leading to hyperactive Ras signaling.

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Correspondence

Prof. Dr. H. Omran

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Muscle Disorders

University Hospital Freiburg

Mathildenstr. 1

79106 Freiburg

Germany

Phone: +49/761/270 43 65

Fax: +49/761/270 43 65

Email: heymut.omran@uniklinik-freiburg.de