Consistent with the in vivo tumorigenesis data, tumor suppressor genes such as Btg2 and p63 were more highly expressed in females GBM astrocytes compared to their male counterparts, while genes involved in tumor progression and invasion such as Hmga2 and shh were more highly expressed in male GBM astrocytes compared to their female counterparts. The gene discussed is HMGA2; the disease is neoplasm.