Divergent genomic evolution in astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas

What happens when brain tumors return? International study tracks genetic changes behind recurring cancers

When patients are diagnosed with certain brain tumors, one of the biggest unanswered questions is what happens when the cancer returns. Among those are IDH-mutant gliomas, a group of brain tumors that invariably recur despite advances in treatment.

Divergent genomic evolution in astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas

Astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas that most commonly arise in adults under the age of 50 and exhibit variable responses to treatment1–3. To understand the genetic drivers of disease progression, here we used whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing to characterize longitudinally collected tumour specimens from 183 patients with IDH-mutant glioma. Samples were collected through the Glioma Longitu…

Recurring Brain Tumors Follow Distinct Genetic Paths, Global Study Finds

An international study of 183 patients reveals that IDH-mutant gliomas follow divergent genetic evolutionary paths at recurrence, with oligodendrogliomas acquiring new growth-driving mutations and astrocytomas undergoing large-scale chromosomal changes linked to poorer survival.