Gliomatosis cerebri (GC) is a rare neuroepithelial tumor characterized by diffuse infiltration of large parts of the brain. The origin of GC is unknown, and the molecular alterations underlying this tumor have not been determined. Because mutations in the p53 tumor-suppressor gene are frequent in common gliomas, we investigated the distribution of p53 alterations by immunohistochemistry and direct sequencing in a GC case with a disease involving both hemispheres and the basal ganglia. Nuclear accumulation of p53 protein was detected in a single region with features of a high-grade glioma. In the remaining 10 regions, corresponding to low-grade gliomas, no p53 accumulation was seen. In 1 low-grade tumor sample, a pathogenic splice site mutation was detected. These findings suggest that p53 alterations occur in GC, but are no prerequisite of malignant progression. The distribution of p53 alterations demonstrates the existence of topographically different clones in 1 patient.
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