Abstract
Oligodendrogliomas are uncommon but extensively investigated tumours in neurooncology. Their superior sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy compared to other gliomas has long been known.
Chromosomal codeletion 1p/19q is frequent in this tumour type. A longterm follow up of two landmark phase III trials - RTOG 9402 and EORTC 26951 has shown a favourable effect of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy - procarbazine, lomustine (CCNU), vincristine - in patients with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic oligoastrocytomas carrying the codeletion 1p/19q.
This codeletion serves as an important diagnostic, positive prognostic and strong predictive biomarker. The role of the other molecular biomarkers (isocitrate dehydrogenase - IDH1, IDH2 mutations, methylation of the MGMT promoter, glioma cytosine - guanine islands methylator phenotype - G-CIMP) in oligodendroglial tumours is also discussed.
All these data facilitate the new personalised approach to the management and treatment of anaplastic oligodendroglial tumours.