In this study, gemistocytes and non-gemistocytic neoplastic cells were separated by laser-assisted microdissection from six gemistocytic astrocytomas carrying TP53 mutations.
Gemistocytic astrocytoma is characterized by a predominance of large astrocytes with plump processes and massive accumulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (gemistocytes).
These results indicate that p53 mutations are a genetic hallmark of gemistocytic astrocytomas, whilst PTEN mutations are absent in low-grade and rare in anaplastic gemistocytic astrocytomas.
These results indicate that p53 mutations are a genetic hallmark of gemistocytic astrocytomas, whilst PTEN mutations are absent in low-grade and rare in anaplastic gemistocytic astrocytomas.