PDGFRA amplification is reportedly present in up to 29% of pediatric and 21% of adult high-grade astrocytomas when assessed by flourescent in situ hydridization. Copy number alterations of this gene have been reported in approximately 11% of adult glioblastoma making it the second most commonly altered receptor tyrosine kinase after EGFR. In those adult glioblastomas that are IDH-mutant, there is evidence to suggest that amplification of PDGFRA is associated with worse overall survival. Somatic mutations within the PDGFRA gene are less frequent than amplifications. PGDFRA N659K is within the tyrosine kinase domain and confers a gain of function. Preclinical trials in N659K mutant cell lines have shown sensitivity to multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors including imatinib and crenolanib.