c-Kit gene mutations in intracranial germ cell tumors

Background: c-Kit gene expression is frequently detected in intracranial germ cell tumors (ICGT) and activating mutations have been reported in individual cases of germinomas. To date, only small collectives of ICGTs have been screened for the presence of mutations in the c-Kit gene. The aim of this study was to analyze a larger collective of germinomatous ICGTs regarding presence, frequency and localization of c-Kit gene mutations in these tumors. Methods: Genomic DNAs were extracted from 83 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded germinoma biopsies. SSCP analysis of exons 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 17 was performed to…