Correlation between tumor-related seizures and molecular genetic profile in 103 Chinese patients with low-grade gliomas: a preliminary study

Tumor-related seizures are a well-known presenting symptom of primary brain tumors, particularly low-grade gliomas (LGGs). The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation between tumor-related seizures and molecular genetic profile in Chinese patients with LGGs. A series of 103 LGGs, including 27 oligodendrogliomas, 41 oligoastrocytomas and 35 astrocytomas, was analyzed by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) for 1p and 19q status, with particular emphasis on correlations with tumor-related seizures. Most oligodendrogliomas and oligoastrocytomas had LOH 1p and LOH 19q, which were rarely seen in combination in astrocytomas (p<0.001). LOH 1p and LOH 19q were also closely associated (p=0.022). The majority of patients with LGGs presented with seizures at disease onset (68.9% of all patients). The most common seizure type was secondary generalized seizures (81.7% of patients with seizures). Patients without LOH 19q were more likely to present with seizures (p=0.033), particularly secondary generalized seizures (p=0.005), than those with this alteration. The current study presented an update on studies on tumor-related seizures and molecular genetic profile, and brought forward putative candidate genes for secondary generalized seizures on chromosome 19q, based on the assumption that common molecular genetic pathways may exist for glioma development and tumor-related seizures.