Ras p21 expression in brain tumors: elevated expression in malignant astrocytomas and glioblastomas multiforme

In Vivo. 1991 Jul-Aug;5(4):317-21.

Abstract

We have employed an immunohistochemical analysis to study the ras p21 oncoprotein in a total of 41 brain tumors and 1 reactive gliosis. The tumors included 33 astrocytomas, 1 oligodendroglioma, 2 ependymomas, 1 neurilemmoma, 1 malignant meningioma, 1 neuroblastoma and 2 medulloblastomas. Our results indicate that elevated ras p21 expression is a common feature in a range of brain tumors. In particular, elevated ras p21 expression has been found in 18 out of 24 high grade astrocytomas (malignant astrocytomas and glioblastomas multiforme) compared to 3 out of 9 low grade (well differentiated astrocytomas) (P less than 0.05). These results suggest that ras p21 expression may be an important molecular marker of the malignant astrocytomas and glioblastomas multiforme.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytoma / chemistry*
  • Brain Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Gene Expression
  • Glioblastoma / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / analysis*

Substances

  • HRAS protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)