Age associated increase in the prevalence of chromosome 22q loss of heterozygosity in histological subsets of benign meningioma

Chromosome 22q loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is the most common allelic loss in benign meningioma and is thought to be the earliest initiating event in meningioma formation. We used published data and logistic regression to evaluate the association of 22q LOH with age at diagnosis in 318 transitional, fibroblastic, and meningothelial meningiomas. After adjustment for anatomical location, the odds ratio of 22q LOH per year of age was >1 in each histological type of meningioma, and was significantly >1 in transitional and fibroblastic meningioma. This finding is compatible with involvement of the neurofibromatosis 2 tumour suppressor gene, NF2, on chromosome 22q in the high incidence of benign meningioma in the elderly.