Molecular Neuro-oncology and Its Impact on the Clinical Management of Brain Tumors

1 2 3 O. D. Wiestler , U. Schlege1 , andJ. Schramm lInstitut flir Neuropathologie, Universitatskliniken Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany 2Neurologische Universitatsklinik, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany 3Neurochirurgische Universitatsklinik, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25,53127 Bonn, Germany In contrast to various other neoplastic disorders, there has still been no dramatic progress in the treatment of gliomas. Modem microsurgical and imaging techniques have made more tumors surgically accessible and have allowed a more extensive surgical resection. However, these new developments have not improved the clinical outcome. Recently, molecular biological studies on genes and genetic loci affected in tumors of the nervous system have yielded significant new insights into pathoge netic machanisms. Many neuro-oncologists are therefore looking forward to transla ting molecular genetic findings into novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the management of these devastating neoplasms. We have produced this volume with the intention of highlighting major developments in both molecular and clinical neuro-oncology and of stimulating the communication and cooperation between these two fields. Two major families of growth-controlling genes have emerged from the past decade of intense research on the molecular genetics of tumors: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Oncogenes are characterized by their potential to stimulate the growth of susceptible cells whereas tumor suppressor genes share a growth-inhibi ting property. A stringently controlled interplay between these two regulatory me chanisms is required to maintain a stable composition of tissues.

Inhalt
Molecular Neuro-oncology.- Human Neuroblastoma: Amplification of the N-myc Oncogene and Loss of a Putative Cancer-Preventing Gene on Chromosome 1p.- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene and Its Transcripts in Glioblastomas.- Type and Frequency of p53 Mutations in Tumors of the Nervous System and Its Coverings.- Astrocytic Gliomas: Characterization on a Molecular Genetic Basis.- Prognostic Relevance of Transforming Genes.- Oncogene Transfer into the Brain.- The O-2A Lineage: From Rats to Humans.- Clinical Neuro-oncology.- The Anti-Hu Syndrome: A Model Paraneoplastic Disorder.- Radiosurgery/Stereotactic External Beam Radiotherapy for Malignant Brain Tumours: The Royal Marsden Hospital Experience.- Interstitial Implant Radiosurgery of Brain Tumors: Radiobiology, Indications, and Results.- Interstitial Brachytherapy of Malignant Gliomas: The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Experience.- Aggressive Oligodendroglioma: A Chemosensitive Tumor.- Chemotherapy of Malignant Gliomas.- Interstitial Chemotherapy with Sustained-Release Polymer Systems for the Treatment of Malignant Gliomas.- Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma.- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Human Malignant Glioma: In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Application of Monoclonal Antibodies to the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor.- Target Cell Induced T Cell Activation with Bispecific Antibodies: A New Concept for Tumor Immunotherapy.