Analysis of IDH1-R132 mutation, BRAF V600 mutation and KIAA1549-BRAF fusion transcript status in central nervous system tumors supports pediatric tumor classification.

OBJECTIVE: Gliomas are the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity in children and comprise a clinical, histological and molecular heterogenous group of CNS tumors. Appropriate treatment of these tumors relies on correct classification into tumor types and malignancy grades.

METHODS: We examined 170 (0-18 years) pediatric and 131 (19-35 years) young adult brain tumors including pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs), pilomyxoid astrocytomas (PMAs), diffuse astrocytomas (DAs), gangliogliomas, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs) and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs) for IDH1 and BRAF mutation/BRAF fusion gene status. The obtained data were compared to results in 464 (<35 years) adult brain tumors. In 32 tumors with an oligodendroglial or mixed glioma differentiation, additionally the LOH1p/19q status was determined.

RESULTS: By combining immunohistochemistry and molecular methods, IDH1/2 mutations were observed in 6 pediatric, 35 young adult and 43 adult tumors of the astrocytic/oligodendroglial lineage. BRAF V600E mutations (20 pediatric, 7 young adults and 2 adults) were found mostly in gangliogliomas, PXAs, few astrocytomas and few DNTs. Except for one DA case, BRAF fusions (35 pediatric, 8 young adults and 2 adults) were restricted to PA and PMA and associated with age and infratentorial location. All mutations were mutually exclusive and always present in the primary tumor. Two-thirds of all pediatric samples harbored one of the three examined mutations.

CONCLUSION: Combination of IDH1-R132, BRAF V600 and KIAA1549-BRAF fusion analysis is therefore a useful tool to increase diagnostic accuracy in pediatric gliomas.