Recurrent cytogenetic aberrations in histologically benign, invasive meningiomas of the sphenoid region

Meningiomas that arise in the sphenoid region (MSR) often display growth patterns leading to widespread invasion and destruction of the surrounding structures. Consequently, there is still estimated recurrence rate up to 30% with MSR. Conventional cytogenetic studies have failed to reveal aberrations characteristic of invasive meningiomas. Here we investigated 10 invasive and 5 non-invasive MSR using the array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) with the GenoSensor Array 300. Mean number of aberrations detected per tumor was significantly greater for invasive meningiomas—67.4 compared with 40.5 for non-invasive MSR. Additionally, invasive MSR disclosed frequent losses on 1p, 6q, 14q and gains on 15q and 20, which were identified previously as molecular hallmarks of stepwise meningioma progression. Thus, the presence of a complex cytogenetic profile and progression-associated chromosomal aberrations in benign MSR is associated with their increased invasive potential. Inasmuch as no reliable adjuvant therapy for recurrent meningiomas is available thus far, revealed genomic aberrations can provide a potential targets for drug discovery and therapeutic intervention in a future.