GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF GLIOBLASTOMA-MULTIFORME PROVIDES EVIDENCE FOR SUBGROUPS WITHIN THE GRADE

We analyzed 72 primary and 25 recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) samples for DNA sequence copy number abnormalities (CNAs) by comparati ve genomic hybridization (CGH). The number of aberrations per tumor ra nged from 2 to 23 in primary GBM and 5 to 25 in recurrent GBM. There w ere 26 chromosome regions with CNAs in more than 20% of tumors. 7q22-3 6 was the most common gain and 10q25-26 was the most common loss; each occurred in more than 70% of tumors. Of 27 amplification sites, epide rmal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was the most common; it was observe d in 25% of primary GBMs. Statistical analysis based on pairwise corre lation of CNAs indicated that there is more than one class of primary GBM. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.