Long-term molecular changes in WHO grade II astrocytomas following radiotherapy

Chin J Cancer. 2012 Mar;31(3):159-65. doi: 10.5732/cjc.011.10149. Epub 2012 Feb 7.

Abstract

Monitoring the long-term radiotherapy-associated molecular changes in low-grade gliomas (LGGs) facilitates the understanding of LGG response to radiotherapy. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to analyze the expression of Ki-67, tumor protein P53 (TP53), P21, and P27 in 8 paired WHO grade II astrocytoma samples. The interval between radiotherapy (RT) and the second surgery was more than 3 months in all cases. The average Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was 5.3% in pre-RT samples and 11.54% in post-RT samples. Ki-67 LI was higher in the primary tumors that underwent malignant transformation observed at the second surgery after radiation. Post-RT Ki-67 LI decreased in 2 cases with an interval of less than 12 months between RT and the second surgery. TP53 expression was found in 3 out of 4 pre-RT samples with malignant transformation and in 1 out of 4 pre-RT samples without malignant transformation. Post-RT TP53 increased in 2 cases in which increased expression of P21 or P27 was also observed. Our study suggests that radiotherapy can inhibit WHO grade II astrocytoma proliferation as reflected by Ki-67 LI, but the effect attenuates with time. In addition, there is a tendency of malignant transformation for WHO grade II astrocytomas with a high Ki-67 level or TP53 expression in initial samples.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Astrocytoma / metabolism*
  • Astrocytoma / pathology
  • Astrocytoma / radiotherapy
  • Astrocytoma / surgery
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / radiation effects
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • CDKN1B protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27