VRK1 and astrocytoma (excluding glioblastoma): In this work we have tested the potential value of VRK1 and VRK2 protein levels as prognostic markers in low and high-grade astrocytomas, based on the observation that these proteins have an effect on proteins that are known to be affected in the pathogenesis of astrocytomas, such as p53, or EGFR signaling, as well as on other regulators of cell cycle progression.