Articles tagged with Brain Tumors
A new study in JAMA found that over 75% of patients with malignant brain tumors underwent common procedures like radiation therapy, MRI, or surgery. However, the study also discovered that some practice patterns contradict published guidelines, such as the infrequent use of chemotherapy and anti-depressant medications.
Researchers discovered a potent Vitamin A derivative, ATRA, that suppresses growth and induces cell death in childhood brain cancer cells. The gene OTX2 is abnormally amplified in medulloblastoma tumors, which can be targeted by ATRA-based therapy.
A new JAMA study found that brain tumor treatment varies greatly among patients, with inconsistent use of chemotherapy and anti-convulsant medication. The study also highlights the need for improved communication between healthcare providers and patients, as well as increased participation in clinical trials.
The study found significant variations in treatment practices for patients with malignant glioma, including differences in the use of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and antidepressants. These variations were associated with differences in survival rates, highlighting the need for further investigation and potential improvements to tr...
Researchers found that K-RAS activation is a key factor in the development of tumors in neurofibromatosis 1. The study suggests that targeting K-RAS could lead to more effective treatment options for this genetic disorder.
Researchers found that new blood vessels and immune system cells are essential to tumor formation, making them promising drug targets; however, brain images used for diagnosis may not be informative.
Scientists have created a comprehensive map of brain genes that regulate brain development, linking specific genes to specific brain locations. The Mahoney Transcription Factor Atlas will aid researchers in studying brain tumors and other disorders.
A new study published in Cancer Cell reveals that combining radiation with antiangiogenic therapy can significantly slow tumor growth when administered at the right time. The research found that a unique time period exists during which this combination is most effective, making it a potential breakthrough in cancer treatment.
Benjamin Raphael, a UCSD postdoctoral researcher, has been awarded a $500,000 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award to analyze tumor genome architectures and identify genes important for tumor growth. His work aims to develop cancer diagnostics and understand how tumors behave and progress.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that a genetically engineered virus delivering the protein hsFlt3L slowed tumor growth and increased immune cell production in laboratory rats with glioblastoma multiforme. The study may lead to a new treatment approach for patients with GBM.
Researchers at Sick Kids confirm that cancer stem cells are responsible for initiating and growing brain tumors in a mouse model. This discovery opens the door for new therapeutic targets to conquer brain tumors.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that white matter lesions caused by treatment can mimic cancer, leading to unnecessary treatment. The study also linked WMLs to a decline in neurocognitive function in children with brain tumors.
Researchers used DSC MRI to measure blood volume in eight patients with cerebral abscesses and four with malignant brain tumors. The study found no overlap in blood volume between the two groups, allowing for accurate distinction between abscesses and tumors.
Scientists have successfully used stem cells to restore movement in paralyzed rats by transplanting oligodendrocytes, a type of cell that insulates nerve signals. Additionally, researchers have delivered GDNF, a factor aiding neuron survival, to patients with Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases using genetically modified astrocytes.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have discovered a mechanism by which brain tumors can evade the immune system, leading to impaired cellular immunity in patients with glioma. By blocking COX-2 expression, the study found that tumor-killing T cell responses can be restored, offering new potential treatments for brain tumors.
Researchers found that mice with brain tumors treated with stem cells showed increased blood supply and decreased tumor growth, living on average 50 percent longer than untreated mice. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting presented this promising research.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that the protein Mrp4 limits penetration of topotecan into the brain, which could improve treatment for brain cancer. Over-expression of Mrp4 in tumors contributes to topotecan resistance in patients.
A recent study found that individuals with mental illness are at a higher risk of developing brain and lung cancers. The research, supported by the American Cancer Society and National Institute of Mental Health, suggests that people with mental health problems smoke more than the general population.
A study found that CyberKnife radiosurgery successfully controls growth and progression of symptomatic benign tumors, improving symptoms in 78% of patients. The treatment has a high local control rate of 96%, offering a promising option for patients not candidates for surgery.
A genetic predictive test identifies brain cancer patients who benefit from temozolomide, a targeted treatment. The study found a 46% survival rate for those with methylated MGMT promoter status.
Intraoperative MRI improved tumor removal by detecting additional tissue that needed to be removed, altering surgical strategy in 27.5% of cases. High-field MRI provides better image quality and reduced scan time, but its high cost is a limiting factor.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have successfully treated medulloblastoma brain cancer in lab models by targeting a single protein in the hedgehog pathway, demonstrating potential for novel treatment approaches and improved outcomes for patients.
Scientists identified two proteins as the key switches controlling brain cancer cell growth, revealing a potential new target for glioblastoma treatment. The study found that blocking one protein enables the other to inhibit cancerous growth, offering hope for more effective therapies.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that 3D radiation therapy can effectively treat brain cancer in children without impairing cognitive development. The research suggests that radiation therapy can be a viable treatment option for young children, offering hope to families affected by this type of cancer.
A phase III study uses IL13-PE38QQR, a hybrid protein that attaches to specific receptors on tumor cells, to target residual GBM brain tumors. The treatment, convection-enhanced delivery, facilitates infusion of the drug into the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
Fluorescence spectroscopy can quickly and accurately discriminate between brain tumor and normal tissue, according to researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The technique analyzes biochemical and functional changes in cells, providing high diagnostic specificity.
A vaccine targeting cancer-related antigens in glioblastoma cells appears to prolong patient survival by a median of 103 weeks. The dendritic cell vaccine generated an immune response against these antigens, significantly improving survival rates compared to patients without the treatment.
Researchers have developed an iron oxide nanoparticle that can outline brain tumors and other lesions for up to five days under MRI, providing a new imaging marker. This contrast agent has the potential to assist in image-guided brain surgery and improve diagnosis of neurological disorders.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new approach to boost the immune response against gliomas, a type of brain tumor. By targeting the interleukin 10 gene in dendritic cells, they can increase the production of IL-12, leading to a stronger Th1 response and enhanced immune response against cancer cells.
A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with low incomes are at a higher risk of developing brain tumors. The study analyzed data from Michigan and found a significant difference in brain cancer rates between those with low incomes and those without, particularly among younger adults.
A subset of neural stem cells has been identified as having the ability to track malignant brain tumors called gliomas. The researchers found that astrocytic progenitors express a chemokine receptor called CXCR4, which is attracted by stromal-cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) secreted by glioma cells.
Researchers used MR spectroscopy to analyze 27 patients with previously treated brain tumors and found that Choline, Creatine, and N-acetylaspartate were detectable markers for tumor identification. Early detection can lead to timely treatment and prevent unnecessary therapy.
Researchers have developed a technique called 2D CSI MRS that uses chemical signatures to distinguish between tumor recurrence, normal tissue, and treatment-related changes in the brain. This method has shown significant differences in chemical ratios for recurrent tumors versus treatment-altered tissue.
Researchers found that NKT cells are attracted to tumors producing the chemokine CCL2, leading to better patient outcomes. Neuroblastomas with abnormally high levels of the cancer-causing gene MYCN contained fewer NKT cells and produced less CCL2.
Researchers used microarray technology to compare gene expression in healthy flies and those with brain cancer, finding significant changes in 321 genes involved in metabolism, cell proliferation, and more. The study identified a key tumor-suppressor gene mutation that causes cancerous tissue growth and metastasis in flies.
Researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel approach to gene therapy that harnesses mesenchymal progenitor cells (MSC) to target cancer metastasis. The strategy has shown promising results in animal studies, with MSC gene therapy curing up to 70% of mice implanted with human ovarian cancer.
A new imaging probe detects small tumors in the brain, providing crucial information to surgeons during operations. The technology uses near-infrared fluorescence optical imaging to identify tumor margins and improve surgical treatment.
Researchers discovered the ING4 gene's significant reduction in glioblastomas, which led to faster growth and complex blood vessel networks. The study found that ING4 suppresses angiogenesis by inhibiting NF-kappa B, offering potential targets for glioma treatment.
Researchers have identified a critical gene called Lgl1, which plays a vital role in shaping cell behavior during embryonic brain development. The study found that mice lacking this gene exhibit dramatic abnormalities and resemble human patients with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor.
Researchers found a significant increase in cancer cases among teenagers and young adults, with certain cancers dominating at different ages. The study suggests that environmental risk factors and genetic susceptibility may play a role in the increasing incidence of adolescent and young adult cancer.
Researchers found damaged T cells arose from a particular cell lineage in tumor environments, leading to immune dysfunction. Targeting novel properties can prevent or reverse the defects, providing new insights into the relationship between tumors and defective T cells.
Researchers developed a mouse model of neurofibromatosis 1 to study brain tumor growth, finding that tumors require permissive environments. Astrocytes with both copies of the Nf1 gene lacking in surrounding cells were found to develop into tumors, highlighting the importance of location in cancer development.
A novel gene therapy delivery system using stem cells has been developed to target and attack tumors, regardless of their location in the body. The system, which uses human mesenchymal progenitor cells, has shown promising results in tests with mice with various types of cancer, including ovarian, brain, breast, melanoma, and leukemia.
Researchers analyzed data on 553 patients treated with imatinib, finding that complete cytogenetic response significantly impacted long-term outcome. Patients with low Philadelphia chromosome positivity had higher chances of achieving a complete response.
Researchers created a modified poliovirus that targets and destroys cancer cells in the brain, but spares normal brain tissue. The virus uses a rhinovirus genetic element to trigger gene expression in cancer cells, but malfunctions in normal neurons due to lack of co-factors.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the origin of pediatric brain tumors, finding that they may develop from cells with characteristics similar to neural stem cells. This new perspective on brain cancer could lead to improved diagnostic tests and treatments.
Scientists have developed new therapies targeting survivin and VEGF to induce cancer cell death. LY2181308 inhibits survivin expression, while a novel VEGF receptor, R2Fas, triggers apoptosis in blood vessels and cancer cells. These approaches show promise for treating various types of cancers.
New class of drugs targets specific molecules within brain cancer cells, slowing growth and reducing side effects. Three drugs - ZD6474, SB431542, and AEE788 - demonstrate significant promise in treating glioblastoma and other types of brain tumors.
Researchers develop protein profiles to classify gliomas and predict aggressiveness with high accuracy. The 'molecular fingerprint' can help tailor treatment decisions for patients, distinguishing between aggressive and less aggressive tumors.
A clinical study found that molecular markers can predict which head and neck cancer patients will respond better to radiotherapy. The study identified two tumor profiles with different clinical outcomes, one with a high response rate of 67% and another with a poor response rate of 37%.
A recent study found that levels of newly produced CD8+ T lymphocytes, known as recent thymic emigrant (RTE) CD8+ T cells, are crucial in determining age-dependent mortality and outcome in brain tumor patients. High RTE CD8+ T cell levels were associated with improved patient response to immune therapy.
Researchers found that blocking laminin-8 gene expression significantly reduced glioma cells' ability to invade neighboring tissue. The study supports the hypothesis that laminin-8 is involved in tumor spread and suggests a potential target for intervention strategies.
A study discovered a link between rare BRCA2 gene mutations, Fanconi anemia, and childhood brain tumors. Four families with affected children carried two BRCA2 mutations, resulting in both conditions diagnosed at an average age of 3.5 years.
A large-scale study of 560 patients with malignant gliomas suggests that surgical resection is a critical factor in improving survival rates and quality of life. The study found that younger, more active patients tend to benefit more from aggressive treatment, while age and overall health also play significant roles.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are studying the link between brain cancer and air pollution, led by Dr. Keith Black. The study aims to determine whether exposure to toxic air pollutants can cause changes in brain tissue associated with brain cancer formation.
Researchers discovered a peptide antigen that targets glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive brain tumor. The immune system recognizes this antigen, triggering an immune response and potentially leading to longer patient survival.
Brain tumours are difficult to cure despite advances in surgery and drug treatments. Researchers have identified a cancer stem cell that drives tumour growth, leading them to design therapies targeting these cells., The discovery sheds light on metastases and may lead to new targets for brain tumour therapy.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that retinoids killed medulloblastoma cancer cells, both surgically removed and grafted onto mice. The compounds trigger cell death by activating a protein called BMP-2, which is critical for cell death in the nervous system.
Researchers found that intracranial gliomas damage the thymus, weakening T cells and preventing a large-scale attack on the tumor. The study suggests that glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal glands contribute to this effect, and highlights the importance of recent thymic emigrant T cells in anti-glioma immunity.
A study at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that gamma knife radiosurgery provided high rates of tumor growth control and often led to tumor regression for patients with benign intracranial tumors. The study followed 285 consecutive patients over a median of 10 years, with 81% still alive after 10 years.