MAPK pathway activation and the origins of pediatric low‐grade astrocytomas |
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| Authors: | Ruth G. Tatevossian Andrew R.J. Lawson Tim Forshew Guy F.L. Hindley David W. Ellison Denise Sheer |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK;2. Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK;3. Department of Pathology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee |
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| Abstract: | Low‐grade astrocytomas (LGAs) are the most common type of brain tumor in children. Until recently, very little was known about the underlying biology and molecular genetics of these tumors. However, within the past year a number of studies have shown that the MAPK pathway is constitutively activated in a high proportion of LGAs. Several genetic aberrations which generate this deregulation of the MAPK pathway have been identified, most notably gene fusions between KIAA1549 and BRAF. In this review we summarize these findings, discuss how these gene fusions may arise and consider possible implications for diagnosis and treatment. J. Cell. Physiol. 222: 509–514, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. |
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