Rarity of<i>PTEN</i>deletions and<i>EGFR</i>amplification in malignant gliomas of childhood: results from the Children’s Cancer Group 945 cohort

Abstract

Alterations in PTEN and amplification of EGFR are uncommon in pediatric malignant gliomas, in contrast to adult malignant gliomas. From this one can infer that the pediatric and adult tumors involve distinct molecular causes. The results of this study have important implications for the adaptation of glioma therapies aimed at molecular targets in adults to the treatment of childhood gliomas, and highlight the need for investigations of therapies specifically directed toward childhood tumors.