Fig. 2

Rare POLE variants were detected in glioblastoma patients who developed spinal metastases. (a) Summary of the histology and POLE variant status of four glioblastoma patients with spinal metastases from this study (patients Fam011-III.1/M1, M2, M3, and M4), and a previously described case [31]. (b) Electropherograms showing the POLE variants detected in DNA of the glioblastomas and spinal metastases of patients Fam011-III.1/M1 and M2. The position of the variant is indicated by an arrow. (c) Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the primary tumors diagnosed as glioblastomas, and spinal metastases diagnosed as gliosarcomas of patients Fam011-III.1/M1 and M2. The inset shows a cell with an enlarged nucleus. Scale bar, 30 μm. (d) Scheme illustrating our hypothesis that POLE variants in glioblastomas may promote the development of spinal metastases. CNS, central nervous system; WHO, World Health Organization; NOS, not otherwise specified