1.High-grade astrocytoma with piloid features: a clinicopathological study of seven cases
Wanjing ZOU ; Ruichao CHAI ; Li XU ; Ting SUN ; Zhen LIU ; Zhaoxia LIU ; Qing CHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(8):805-811
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of high-grade astrocytomas with piloid features (HGAP).Methods:Clinical, histopathological and imaging data of 7 cases of HGAP diagnosed at the Neuropathology Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China from August 2023 to October 2024 were collected. The histopathological and molecular features for each case were analyzed.Results:Among the seven patients there were 4 males and 3 females, with the median age of 37 (34, 51) years. Patients exhibited various clinical symptoms and signs depending on the tumor′s location. Four tumors were located in the cerebellum, 2 in the supratentorial region, and 1 in the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that 6 of the 7 patients had cystic and solid lesions, with focal or nodular enhancement and relatively unclear boundaries. Histopathological features had a diverse morphological spectrum and extensive grading. Five cases displayed a pilocytic astrocytoma-like appearance with infiltrative growth patterns, while two cases presented glioblastoma-like morphology, containing locally anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with minor pilocytic components. All tumors were diffusely positive for GFAP and Olig2, while 4 tumors exhibited partial or complete loss of ATRX. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 2% to 40%. Next-generation sequencing showed that tumor cells most commonly harbored MAPK pathway gene mutations, and/or homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, and/or ATRX mutations. Among the 7 HGAP models, 3 cases showed the three types of molecular genetic variations, 1 case showed MAPK mutations and homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, 1 case had MAPK mutations and ATRX mutations, 1 case had only MAPK mutations, and 1 case showed no detectable molecular changes. DNA methylation clustering analyses showed that the median model prediction score was 0.94 (range, 0.85-0.99) for the 7 HGAP models. Five cases showed the MGMT promoter hypermethylation. Four patients received radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide treatment after surgery, while three patients received no known treatments. At the last follow-up, seven patients were alive without any tumor, two patients had recurrence, and one patient was alive with the tumor.Conclusions:HGAP is relatively rare and predominantly occurs in adults. It has a wide histopathological spectrum and various histological grades, characterized by piloid astrocytoma-like and glioblastoma-like histological features. Its diagnosis relies on methylation clustering analysis. Most tumors harbor gene alterations in the MAPK signaling pathway, along with homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B or ATRX mutations. The biological behavior is typically aggressive, while imaging and histological findings can be misleading. Therefore, clinicians need to increase their diagnostic awareness of this tumor and prevent missed diagnoses.
2.High-grade astrocytoma with piloid features: a clinicopathological study of seven cases
Wanjing ZOU ; Ruichao CHAI ; Li XU ; Ting SUN ; Zhen LIU ; Zhaoxia LIU ; Qing CHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(8):805-811
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of high-grade astrocytomas with piloid features (HGAP).Methods:Clinical, histopathological and imaging data of 7 cases of HGAP diagnosed at the Neuropathology Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China from August 2023 to October 2024 were collected. The histopathological and molecular features for each case were analyzed.Results:Among the seven patients there were 4 males and 3 females, with the median age of 37 (34, 51) years. Patients exhibited various clinical symptoms and signs depending on the tumor′s location. Four tumors were located in the cerebellum, 2 in the supratentorial region, and 1 in the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that 6 of the 7 patients had cystic and solid lesions, with focal or nodular enhancement and relatively unclear boundaries. Histopathological features had a diverse morphological spectrum and extensive grading. Five cases displayed a pilocytic astrocytoma-like appearance with infiltrative growth patterns, while two cases presented glioblastoma-like morphology, containing locally anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with minor pilocytic components. All tumors were diffusely positive for GFAP and Olig2, while 4 tumors exhibited partial or complete loss of ATRX. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 2% to 40%. Next-generation sequencing showed that tumor cells most commonly harbored MAPK pathway gene mutations, and/or homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, and/or ATRX mutations. Among the 7 HGAP models, 3 cases showed the three types of molecular genetic variations, 1 case showed MAPK mutations and homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, 1 case had MAPK mutations and ATRX mutations, 1 case had only MAPK mutations, and 1 case showed no detectable molecular changes. DNA methylation clustering analyses showed that the median model prediction score was 0.94 (range, 0.85-0.99) for the 7 HGAP models. Five cases showed the MGMT promoter hypermethylation. Four patients received radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide treatment after surgery, while three patients received no known treatments. At the last follow-up, seven patients were alive without any tumor, two patients had recurrence, and one patient was alive with the tumor.Conclusions:HGAP is relatively rare and predominantly occurs in adults. It has a wide histopathological spectrum and various histological grades, characterized by piloid astrocytoma-like and glioblastoma-like histological features. Its diagnosis relies on methylation clustering analysis. Most tumors harbor gene alterations in the MAPK signaling pathway, along with homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B or ATRX mutations. The biological behavior is typically aggressive, while imaging and histological findings can be misleading. Therefore, clinicians need to increase their diagnostic awareness of this tumor and prevent missed diagnoses.
3.Molecular pathological advances and research directions in gliomas
Ruichao CHAI ; Bo PANG ; Yilin WU ; Tao JIANG
Tumor 2024;44(9):891-900
The 5th edition of the World Health Organization(WHO)central nervous system(CNS)tumor classification(WHO CNS 2021),which was published in 2021,introduced a variety of molecular features that highlight the significance of molecular pathology in understanding the pathological mechanisms,diagnostic classification,prognosis assessment,and guidance of treatment for gliomas.This review aimed to summarize the significant advancements in molecular pathology and its practical applications in clinical settings.Moreover,the challenges faced during the development of molecular pathology and its implementation in clinical practice were discussed.Lastly,an outlook on forthcoming developments in this field for the future was provided.
4.Molecular pathological advances and research directions in gliomas
Ruichao CHAI ; Bo PANG ; Yilin WU ; Tao JIANG
Tumor 2024;44(9):891-900
The 5th edition of the World Health Organization(WHO)central nervous system(CNS)tumor classification(WHO CNS 2021),which was published in 2021,introduced a variety of molecular features that highlight the significance of molecular pathology in understanding the pathological mechanisms,diagnostic classification,prognosis assessment,and guidance of treatment for gliomas.This review aimed to summarize the significant advancements in molecular pathology and its practical applications in clinical settings.Moreover,the challenges faced during the development of molecular pathology and its implementation in clinical practice were discussed.Lastly,an outlook on forthcoming developments in this field for the future was provided.
5.Molecular pathology and clinical implications of diffuse glioma
Ruichao CHAI ; Shengyu FANG ; Bo PANG ; Yuqing LIU ; Yongzhi WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Tao JIANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2022;135(24):2914-2925
The prognosis for diffusely infiltrating gliomas at World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2-4 remains dismal due to their heterogeneity. The rapid development of genome-wide molecular-profiling-associated studies has greatly promoted the accuracy of glioma classification. Thus, the latest version of the WHO classification of the central nervous system tumors published in 2021 has incorporated more molecular biomarkers together with histological features for the diagnosis of gliomas. Advanced usage of molecular pathology in clinical diagnostic practice provides also new opportunities for the therapy of patients with glioma, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and more precision clinical trials. Herein, we highlight the updates in the classification of gliomas according to the latest WHO guidelines and summarize the clinically relevant molecular markers by focusing on their applications in clinical practice. We also review the advances in molecular features of gliomas, which can facilitate the development of glioma therapies, thereby discussing the challenges and future directions of molecular pathology toward precision medicine for patients with glioma.
6.Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA): A Comprehensive Resource with Functional Genomic Data from Chinese Glioma Patients
Zhao ZHENG ; Zhang KE-NAN ; Wang QIANGWEI ; Li GUANZHANG ; Zeng FAN ; Zhang YING ; Wu FAN ; Chai RUICHAO ; Wang ZHENG ; Zhang CHUANBAO ; Zhang WEI ; Bao ZHAOSHI ; Jiang TAO
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics 2021;19(1):1-12
Gliomas are the most common and malignant intracranial tumors in adults. Recent studies have revealed the significance of functional genomics for glioma pathophysiological studies and treatments. However, access to comprehensive genomic data and analytical platforms is often limited. Here, we developed the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), a user-friendly data portal for the storage and interactive exploration of cross-omics data, including nearly 2000 primary and recurrent glioma samples from Chinese cohort. Currently, open access is provided to whole-exome sequencing data (286 samples), mRNA sequencing (1018 samples) and microarray data (301 samples), DNA methylation microarray data (159 samples), and microRNA microarray data (198 samples), and to detailed clinical information (age, gender, chemoradiotherapy status, WHO grade, histological type, critical molecular pathological information, and survival data). In addition, we have developed several tools for users to analyze the mutation profiles, mRNA/microRNA expression, and DNA methylation profiles, and to perform survival and gene correlation analyses of specific glioma subtypes. This database removes the barriers for researchers, providing rapid and convenient access to high-quality functional genomic data resources for biological studies and clinical applications. CGGA is available at http://www.cgga.org.cn.
7.Effect of Acupuncture for Autismin Children:An Observation of 40 Cases
Qing YUAN ; Tiequ CHAI ; Jianying LANG ; Ruichao WANG ; Zhifeng WU ;
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2001;0(03):-
【Objective】 To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for autismin children.【Methods】Subjecting tothe willing of the children s parents,80 children with autismwere equally dividedintotwo groups :group Areceived acupuncture mainly onthe ten groups of acupoints for autism,whichis founded by Professor Jinrui,qd,sixtimes per week,suspension of medication on Sunday,and 120 times constituting one treatment course;group Breceived physical therapy,cognitive training,behavioral analysis and correction,linguistic training,qd,4 hour for eachtime,sixtimes per week,suspension of medication on Sunday,and 120 times constituting one treatment course.After treatment,the therapeutic effect was evaluated with functional development scale in Chinese version of Children Psychoeducational Profile(C-PEP).【Results】After one treatment course,the scores of functional development were increasedin both of groups Aand B(P

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail