Laser-capture microdissected schwannian and neuroblastic cells in stage 4 neuroblastomas have the same genetic alterations.
Academic Article
Overview
abstract
BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous tumor composed of mixed populations of neuroblastic, Schwannian, and gangliocytic cells. PROCEDURE: We examined the genetic lineage of Schwannian and neuroblastic cells in stage 4 NB using laser-capture microdissection (LCM) and allelic analysis of microsatellite markers of chromosomes 1p, 11q, and 14q. RESULTS: In 18 out of 19 cases, individual cell types exhibited the same allelotype. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that the majority of Schwannian and neuroblastic cells in stage 4 NB are of neoplastic origin, and support the hypothesis of a tumor stem cell capable of development along multiple lineages.