Science News & Science Current Events
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print A genetic factor predicts prognosis in brain tumor patients

A genetic factor predicts prognosis in brain tumor patients

June 28, 2007

PLoS ONE has just published a study which defines a gene locus on chromosome 1 that predicts prognosis of brain tumor patients and may even set the basis for the development of more efficient drugs to combat brain cancer. Clinical and basic researchers from the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany, and the Emory University Atlanta, USA have defined the Notch2 gene as candidate gene for brain tumor development. The study was coordinated by Adrian Merlo, neurosurgeon at the University Hospital Basel.

The Notch2 locus highly predicts survival in subgroups of brain tumor patients. This gene is an important regulator of developmental processes. Taking advantage of a complex DNA duplication involving the Notch2 gene, the researchers developed a molecular assay that unambiguously distinguishes prognostically favorable brain tumor cases from cases that show rapid tumor progression.




In ongoing studies, the Basel researchers, supported by Ruth Chiquet from the Friedrich Miescher Institute, have found that Notch2 upregulates the tenascin-C gene which is well known to play a critical role in brain tumorigenesis. This new brain tumor pathway does not only offer precise diagnostic information, but also defines new targets for molecular intervention to develop drugs against this severe human disease.

Public Library of Science



Related Brain Tumor Current Events and Brain Tumor News Articles Brain Tumor Current Events and Brain Tumor News RSS Brain Tumor Current Events and Brain Tumor News RSS
Pediatric study finds alternatives for radiation of low-grade brain tumors
A multi-institutional study led by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found that using chemotherapy alone and delaying or avoiding cranial radiation altogether can be effective in treating pediatric patients with unresectable or progressive low-grade glioma.

New approach to gene therapy may shrink brain tumors, prevent their spread
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers are investigating a new approach to gene therapy for brain tumors - delivering a cancer-fighting gene to normal brain tissue around the tumor to keep it from spreading.

Family history of brain tumors linked to increased risk of brain cancer
People with a family history of cancerous brain tumors appear to be at higher risk of developing the same kind of tumors compared to people with no such family history.

Barrow researchers identify a new approach to detect the early progression of brain tumors
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center recently participated in a pilot study with the Montreal Neurological Institute that suggests a certain type of MRI scanning can detect when a patient is failing brain tumor treatment before symptoms appear.

Childhood brain tumor traced to normal stem cells gone bad
An aggressive childhood brain tumor known as medulloblastoma originates in normal brain "stem" cells that turn malignant when acted on by a known mutant, cancer-causing oncogene, say researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Erectile dysfunction drugs allowed more chemotherapy to reach brain tumors in laboratory study
In a study using laboratory animals, researchers found that medications commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction opened a mechanism called the blood-brain tumor barrier and increased delivery of cancer-fighting drugs to malignant brain tumors.

Certain anticancer agents could be harmful to patients with heart disease
A set of promising new anticancer agents could have unforeseen risks in individuals with heart disease, suggests research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

St. Jude finds young age may give survival advantage to children with certain brain tumors
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have shown that children under 3 years old who have a brain tumor called diffuse pontine glioma (DPG) appear to have a better outcome than older children with the same cancer.

Brown Chemists Create Cancer-Detecting Nanoparticles
A team led by a Brown University chemist has created the smallest iron oxide nanoparticles to date for cancer detection by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The magnetic nanoparticles operate like tiny guided missiles, seeking and attaching themselves to malignant tumor cells. Once they bind, the particles emit stronger signals that MRI scans can detect.

MRI: A window to genetic properties of brain tumors
Doctors diagnose and prescribe treatment for brain tumors by studying, under a microscope, tumor tissue and cell samples obtained through invasive biopsy or surgery.
More Brain Tumor Current Events and Brain Tumor News Articles


Brain Tumors: Leaving the Garden of Eden--A Survival Guide to Diagnosis, Learning the Basics, Getting Organized, and Finding Your Medical Team
by Paul M. Zeltzer

A guidebook for the 150,000+ people/ year and families affected by brain tumors. This book will help you learn the basics about diagnosis, getting organized and finding your medical team. Included are chapters on all major types of brain tumors & metastases, glossary, medications, using the Internet to search for information, and getting a second opinion. "Brain Tumors:Leaving the Garden of...



Living with a Brain Tumor: Dr. Peter Black's Guide to Taking Control of Your Treatment
by Peter Black

Each year, 100,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a brain tumor. With his new book, Dr. Peter Black fills a gap in the lay readership, providing an accessible medical resource for adult patients and their families. Dr. Black, who has operated on more than 3,000 patients with brain tumors, is uniquely qualified to discuss both clinical treatment of and research into brain tumors....



Curveball: When Life Throws You a Brain Tumor
by Liz Holzemer

Life seemed idyllic for thirty-two-year-old Liz Holzemer. Wife of Major League Baseball pitcher Mark Holzemer, Liz was enjoying a successful career as a journalist when an MRI revealed a baseball-size brain tumor she soon found out was called meningioma. Told with clarity and unwavering humor, this book is an inspirational and informative account of one woman's battle for her life. It shows...



Childhood Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors: A Guide for Families, Friends & Caregivers
by Tania Shiminski-Maher, Patsy McGuire Cullen, Maria Sansalone

Childhood Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors, the most complete parent guide available, includes detailed and precise medical information about both benign and malignant brain and spinal cord tumors that strike children and adolescents. In addition, it offers day-to-day practical advice on how to cope with procedures, hospitalization, family and friends, school, social and financial issues,...

That's Unacceptable: Surviving a Brain Tumor - My Personal Story
by Rebecca L. Libutti



Brain Tumors (Fast Facts)
by Lauren E., M.D. Abrey, Warren P. Mason

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Pocket-size text describes the features, imaging modalities, and treatment options for brain tumors. Discusses the various tumor types in detail, providing clear information about preferred treatment strategies. For primary care physicians. Attractive color layout with black and white illustrations....



Serendipity: An Uplifting and Practical Guide for Anyone Battling a Brain Tumor
by Peggy Prichard Ross

Multiple strategies for coping with brain cancer treatments and the unexpected joy you can find through fighting cancer. Includes information on Brain Biopsies, Radiation, Emergency Surgery, Stereotactic radio-surgery, Chemotherapy, Nutrition, Exercise, Managing Seizures, Coping with Headaches, Visualization, and Finding...



Tumors of the Brain and Spine (M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Series)

Tumors of the Brain and Spine focuses primarily on the standard approaches to the treatment of benign, primary low-grade to high-grade, and metastatic tumors in the brain and spine used by surgeons and clinicians at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. It is written mainly for the primary care oncologist, general neurologist, and general neurosurgeon. Chapters on treatment focus...



Guerilla Guide to Brain Tumors: Shameless Dirty Tricks to beat the system and STAY ALIVE!
by Skip Goebel

In an unprecedented format, the Guerilla Guide to Brain Tumors is written in a format that combines the layout of the For Dummies series with a drill-sargent's attitude. (the back page says it all) This is a book of War Nothing warm and fuzzy or socially acceptable here and nothing about "Dying with Dignity". Just what it takes to win. And win...



Navigating Through a Strange Land: 2nd Edition: A Book for Brain Tumor Patients and Their Families,
by Tricia Ann Roloff

Includes practical advice along with the moving personal stories of brain tumor patients, their family members, and their professional...

© 2008 BrightSurf.com