Genetic and molecular alterations in meningiomas.

Meningiomas are the most common benign intracranial tumors in adults arising from the dura matter. The etiology of meningiomas is mostly unknown, although several risk factors have been described, such as ionizing radiation, head injury, hormones and genetic factors. According to WHO they are classified into 3 grades, grade I, grade II and grade III. Meningiomas express various hormonal and growth factor receptors, such as progesterone, estrogen, somatostatin, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors, which may be related to their biological behavior and response to treatment. Chromosomal abnormalities linked to meningiomas involve chromosomes 22, 1p, 9p, 10p, 11, 14q, 15, 17, and 18q. In addition, genes that may be involved in the formation of meningiomas include NF2, DAL-1, p14 (ARF), p53, MDM2, Rb, p16 and c-myc. It is likely that detailed molecular information will aid in establishing a molecular grading of these tumors and predict response to treatment and survival.