A complex karyotype in an atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor: case report and review of the literature

J Neurooncol. 2011 Aug;104(1):375-80. doi: 10.1007/s11060-010-0478-0. Epub 2010 Dec 3.

Abstract

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a highly aggressive and uncommon neoplasm of the central nervous system that usually occurs in children less than 2 years of age. It is characterized by deletions and/or mutations of the INI1 tumor suppressor gene located in chromosome band 22q11.2. We performed cytogenetic and molecular studies of an AT/RT on a 15-month-old boy. The tumor showed a complex karyotype with one cell line showing monosomy 22 and another near-tetraploid one with additional chromosomal abnormalities, involving chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 6, and Y, which had not been previously described. Sequence analysis of the tumor did not identify mutations of the INI1 gene. The karyotypic evolution observed in this tumor suggests that INI1 has an epigenetic role in the maintenance of genome integrity by affecting genes, which produces mitotic defects and polyploidy. Finally, this case is the first to support the theory that loss of INI1 could induce the chromosomal instability that might be responsible for the genesis of this tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics*
  • Chromosome Deletion
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Karyotyping / methods*
  • Male
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Rhabdoid Tumor / diagnosis*
  • Rhabdoid Tumor / genetics*
  • SMARCB1 Protein
  • Teratoma / diagnosis*
  • Teratoma / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • SMARCB1 Protein
  • SMARCB1 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors