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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 10/2009

01-10-2009 | Invited Paper

The genetic and epigenetic basis of ependymoma

Authors: Stephen C. Mack, Michael D. Taylor

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 10/2009

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Abstract

Introduction

Although ependymoma is the third most common pediatric brain tumor, we know little about the genetic/epigenetic basis of its initiation, maintenance, or progression. This is due in part to the heterogeneity of the disease, as well as the small sample size of the cohorts analyzed in most studies.

Methods

Many of the genetic aberrations identified to date are large genomic regions, making the differentiation between passenger and driver genes difficult. The finding of a balanced karyotype in a significant subset of pediatric posterior fossa ependymomas increases the difficulty of identifying targets for rationale therapy.

Conclusion

The paucity of in vitro and in vivo model systems for ependymoma compound the difficulties outlined above. In this review, we discuss the published literature on ependymoma genetics and epigenetics and discuss possible future directions for the field.
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Metadata
Title
The genetic and epigenetic basis of ependymoma
Authors
Stephen C. Mack
Michael D. Taylor
Publication date
01-10-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 10/2009
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-009-0928-1

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