Trial Information

EGF Polymorphisms and Gliomagenesis

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an important biological mediator of normal growth and
repair and is critical to epithelial tissue development and maturation of the central
nervous system, among other functions. EGF is a natural focus of interest in cancer
research because of its influence over mitogenesis, proliferation, and tumorigenesis. In
addition, unregulated expression of its receptor, EGFR, has been identified as a common
event in neoplastic transformation. In patients with the most malignant primary tumor of
the brain, the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), alterations in the EGFR or in its expression
levels have been identified in approximately 50% of patients. We postulate that EGF-EGFR
interactions may be important for the development, progression, and prognosis of human
gliomas and that alterations of the EGF gene may predict the potential for glioma
progression and the severity of disease.

Patients suspected of having, or with prior biopsy proof of, a WHO grade II-IV central
nervous system (CNS) glial tumor(s) seen in the Surgical Neurology Branch, NINDS, will be
considered for entry into this study. Tissue samples of tumor resected as part of standard
care will be collected at surgery and preserved for research. Blood samples will also be
collected. Blood will also be collected from anonymous normal volunteers who donate blood
at the NIH Blood Bank; these anonymous donors will serve as controls.