Abnormal methylation of histone deacetylase genes: implications on etiology and epigenetic therapy of astrocytomas.

Background: A growing body of evidence has revealed the involvement of epigenetic alterations in the etiology of astrocytomas. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the association of DNA methylation of histone deacetylase genes (HDAC) with the etiology of astrocytoma, and the implications for epigenetic therapy.

Materials And Methods: Methylation of the HDAC4, HDAC5 and HDAC6 genes was assessed in 29 tumor samples (astrocytomas grades I, III, and IV) and in the glioblastoma cell lines U87, U251, U343, SF188, and T98G by methylation-specific quantitative PCR (MSED-qPCR).

Pitfalls in the differential diagnosis of renal tumor in an adolescent.

The differential diagnosis of renal tumors, particularly in adolescents, may be challenging. We describe an 11-year-old female with a primary intra-renal mass. Initial differential diagnoses included primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), and Wilms Tumor (WT).