Mouse Models of Diffuse Lower-Grade Gliomas of the Adult

Diffuse gliomas of the adult are common primary brain tumors. Glioblastomas are the most aggressive type of gliomas. Lower-grade gliomas (astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas) are less aggressive yet can progress to glioblastomas. Whereas our understanding of glioblastoma biology has increased dramatically in the last few years, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and development of lower-grade gliomas are less understood. This is partly due to the lack of relevant models for this disease. The goal of this chapter is to provide the reader with a review of existing tools to model diffuse gliomas in mice, to discuss the current models and perspectives on modeling lower-grade gliomas, with a particular focus on oligodendrogliomas.