BRAF Mutation and CDKN2A Deletion Define a Clinically Distinct Subgroup of Childhood Secondary High-Grade Glioma

In this month’s featured publication, Dr. Ligon and colleagues investigate the genetic changes that lead to the transformation of pediatric low-grade glioma to secondary high-grade glioma. Using advanced sequencing techniques, they analyzed 886 patient samples and showed there were recurrent alterations in BRAF (to BRAFV600E) and deletion of CDKN2A, amongst other changes in tumors that progressed to high-grade gliomas. The transformation time from low-grade to high-grade glioma occurs over a prolonged period of time, which provides an opportunity for surgical and targeted therapies to mitigate the outcome of secondary high-grade glioma.