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New treatment may dramatically improve survival for those with deadly brain cancer

Researchers at the University of Southern California Health Sciences have discovered a new treatment approach that combines laser heat therapy with immunotherapy to improve survival rates for patients with high-grade astrocytoma. Nearly half of patients treated with this combination were still alive after 18 months, exceeding the typic...

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2026

Single gene defect causes brain tumor

A single gene defect in the BRAF gene has been linked to pilocytic astrocytoma, a common brain tumor in children. Treatment with kinase inhibitors has shown promise in slowing down growth, paving the way for further research into targeted therapies.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 15, 2011

New mouse model explains common pediatric brain tumor

A new mouse model has been developed to study pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), a common pediatric brain tumor. The model uses expression of a mutant BRAF kinase domain in mice and shows that this is sufficient to induce the formation of PA, closely resembling human disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 14, 2011

Too many gene copies stimulate tumor cell growth

Researchers discovered that duplicated regions of DNA containing the BRAF gene lead to increased tumor growth. Targeting the MAPK pathway, which is downstream of BRAF, may provide a new approach for treating individuals with low-grade astrocytomas.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 8, 2008