Cytogenetic and molecular studies of ependymomas have previously demon
strated deletions of chromosomes 17 and 22 as frequent abnormalities,
implicating inactivation of tumor suppressor genes in the pathogenesis
of these tumors. In the present study, we analyzed 22 childhood epend
ymomas by standard cytogenetic analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridiz
ation (FISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based microsatellite
analysis of chromosomes 17 and 22. Microsatellite analysis of chromoso
me 6 was performed to identify submicroscopic deletions implicated by
the cytogenetic studies. Among the 22 cases, we demonstrated loss of c
hromosome 22 in 2 patients, deletion of chromosome 17 in 2 patients, a
nd rearrangements or deletions of chromosome 6 in 5 patients. These da
ta do not suggest that loss of a gene on chromosome 17p plays a primar
y role in the initiation of pediatric ependymomas. This is in contrast
to what has been reported for pediatric CNS primitive neuroectodermal
tumors and malignant astrocytomas, in which deletion of 17p is regard
ed as a primary event. Furthermore, loss of chromosome 22 may define a
subset of ependymomas more commonly seen in adults. Cytogenetic studi
es in this series, however, suggest that a region on the long arm of c
hromosome may be involved in the development and/or progression of epe
ndymomas in children.