MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS OF HUMAN GLIOMAS

Two genetic mechanisms have emerged from studies on the molecular path ogenesis of cancer: the activation of growth-promoting oncogenes and t he loss or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Both have also been identified in tumors of the central nervous system. This contribution summarizes the current state in the field of molecular genetics-of br ain tumors. Many of the current research efforts are focussing on (a) the identification of novel tumor-associated genes and gene loci, (b) the characterization of patterns of complementary genetic changes, (c) a molecular differentiation of morphologically homogenous tumor entit ies and (d) the use of molecular genetic parameters as novel diagnosti c and prognostic criteria in neuro-oncology. It is to be expected that these studies will have a major impact on both diagnostic and clinica l neuro-oncology.