Articles tagged with Brain Tumors
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.
A modified adenovirus, Delta-24-RGD, has shown improved infectivity and replication efficiency compared to the unmodified Delta-24. This leads to increased cytopathic effects and prolonged survival rates in mouse models of human glioma. The authors conclude that Delta-24-RGD may be an effective agent in treating gliomas.
Researchers found 50% more sodium in malignant lesions than normal brain tissue, indicating increased tumor malignancy. The technique improves identification of cancer cells through noninvasive analysis of tumor metabolism and physiology.
Scientists at Brookhaven Lab are developing a promising radiation therapy technique called microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) that effectively destroys tumors in animal models while sparing normal brain tissue. Researchers have also made advancements in computer calculations and molecular electronics.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a novel approach that turns on the immune system to attack brain tumor cells, potentially extending survival in patients with highly aggressive gliomas. The therapy uses dendritic cells to recognize and target dying tumor cells, triggering an immune response.
The Falk Center will utilize state-of-the-art gene chip technology to identify genes responsible for neurological disorders. Two therapeutic developments are approaching the product stage, including a gene-based therapy for malignant brain tumors and a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Researchers found that patients preferred the new endonasal approach, which provides a simpler and minimally invasive method compared to the traditional sublabial procedure. The study showed comparable remission rates and similar hormonal gain and loss among patients with pituitary tumors.
The Wistar Institute's MAb425 antibody has shown promising results in a Drexel University trial, with three high-grade tumor patients alive after five years and eight lower-grade tumor patients surviving for 56 months or longer.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new approach for treating gliomas by engineering neural stem cells to deliver a cancer-killing protein. The treatment, known as NSC-TRAIL, successfully tracked and destroyed glioma cells in mice, while sparing normal brain tissue.
Researchers at Temple University have discovered a possible link between the common human virus JC virus and colon cancer. The study found that the viral genome and proteins were present in malignant epithelial tumors in the large intestine, which may play a role in tumor development.
Research suggests that low-grade glioma patients treated with early radiotherapy have impaired cognitive abilities, particularly memory. High doses of radiotherapy (over 2 Gy) exacerbate this effect. The study's findings imply that radiation therapy should be cautiously applied to asymptomatic patients and used in moderation.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that pituitary tumor cells express abundant PPAR-gamma, a protein receptor linked to growth and metabolism. Treatment with common diabetes drug rosiglitazone effectively shrunk tumors and reduced hormone production in mice with Cushing's syndrome.
A study of Japanese atomic bomb survivors found a significant association between radiation exposure and an increased risk of all nervous system tumors, with higher risks for schwannomas, men, and children. The authors suggest that these increased risks persist throughout lifetime, regardless of age at exposure.
Scientists have developed a novel treatment using neural stem cells to track and target brain tumor cells that spread into normal brain tissue. The therapy involves genetically engineering neural stem cells to produce interleukin 12, an immune-stimulating chemical known to kill glioma cells. Mice treated with this approach survived sig...
Scientists successfully delivered a tracer molecule to the primate brainstem using CED, tracking its movement with MRI and demonstrating uniform concentrations throughout the perfused area. This breakthrough has potential to improve treatment outcomes for children with brainstem gliomas and other neurological diseases
Researchers have developed a new technique to detect corrupted tumor suppressor genes affected by DNA methylation, which could lead to new therapies. The study found that DNA methylation primarily affects different genes than those damaged by deletion or mutation, suggesting a previously unrecognized source of therapeutic targets.
A long-term industry-funded rat study has found no statistically significant increases in any tumor type, including brain cancer, after exposure to radio frequency radiation at common cell phone signals. The study builds on earlier research and suggests the greatest hazard with cell-phones is driving a car while talking.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation that predisposes children to the most common type of pediatric brain tumor, medulloblastoma. This discovery could lead to new treatment options and improve survival rates. The study also found that the same signaling pathways affected in medulloblastomas are disrupted in other cancers.
Researchers have identified a mechanism to increase drug delivery to brain tumors by manipulating calcium-dependent potassium channels. The study found that activating these channels can increase the permeability of the blood-brain tumor barrier, allowing cancer-killing medications to reach the tumor more effectively.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that COX-2 expression is higher than normal in meningioma and pituitary macroadenomas, with more aggressive disease associated with greater enzyme presence. The study opens up opportunities for designing potential therapies against brain tumors.
Researchers have discovered a genetic environment behind nerve-tissue tumors that lead to cancer, specifically NF-1. The study found that tumors grow in a permissive environment but are nonexistent when the environment is restrictive, offering new hope for treatment approaches.
Researchers discovered new genes that play a crucial role in the formation of oligodendrocytes, a type of cell responsible for transmitting nerve signals. The findings may lead to more accurate diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors, as well as insights into diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Recent studies confirm presence of SV40 DNA in human lymphoma samples, suggesting possible vaccine-related transmission. The findings have significant implications for understanding cancer development and prevention.
Researchers found viral genome and proteins T antigen and agnoprotein in pediatric brain tumor samples, suggesting a potential role in tumor development. The discovery of agnoprotein expression in the absence of T-antigen expression suggests a possible pathway for tumor growth.
Studies found that agnoprotein and T antigen are present in 45% of medulloblastoma samples, with some containing only agnoprotein. The presence of these proteins suggests a potential link between the JC virus and brain tumor development.
Researchers have discovered a new gene expression signature that can predict the outcomes of children with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor. The signature is detectable at diagnosis and may help identify patients who are likely to survive and those who will not.
Researchers used gene modification to deliver Interleukin 12 directly into glioma, a deadly type of brain cancer resistant to treatment. The study showed significant prolonged survival in mice and improved immune system's ability to infiltrate and kill tumor cells.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified 10 genes that help cancerous tumors thrive under oxygen-deficient conditions. The discovery could lead to new treatments for deadly forms of cancer and has implications for other diseases like stroke and heart disease.
Researchers used genetic tools to create mouse models of gliomas, revealing that the timing of PDGF expression can determine glioma characteristics. These findings suggest that drugs promoting glial cell differentiation may be effective for low-grade gliomas.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a new radiation-targeting system that uses advanced imaging and optic guidance techniques to precisely target tumors. The system, now commercially available, aims to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues and potentially improve cure rates.
Researchers have developed a new radiation therapy technique that shows significant improvement over traditional methods in treating brain tumors in infants. The treatment uses high-intensity synchrotron sources to confine x-rays to extremely narrow slices, resulting in reduced damage to surrounding tissue.
A Phase I study found that a dendritic cell vaccine extended median survival for patients with GBM by 455 days, compared to 257 days in the control group. The treatment elicited systemic immune responses and directed T-cells to the tumor site.
Researchers identified enlarged pituitary glands in patients with intracranial hypotension syndrome, a condition characterized by headaches that worsen when sitting up. The condition can be diagnosed through low spinal cord fluid pressure readings and treated with conventional therapies such as bed rest, hydration, and corticosteroids.
Researchers have successfully analyzed diffusion MRI images to distinguish between dead and living brain tumor cells in animals and humans. This technique allows for the assessment of therapy effects without relying on measurable changes in tumor size, enabling earlier detection of treatment response.
A 70-year-old woman developed a glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive brain cancer, 7 years after undergoing radiosurgery to treat a benign tumor. The case report highlights the rare but potential risk of radiation-induced malignancy following this procedure.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center developed a tumor-specific antibody, Y10, that targets mutated protein found only in cancer cells. This antibody can eradicate brain tumors in mice and has shown promise as a potential treatment for human patients.
The Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute will host a free patient/family brain tumor conference featuring new research, treatments, and support services. Experts in the field will discuss various topics, including current treatment approaches and potential therapies.
Surgeons have successfully performed two operations using a new LED-based probe to treat brain cancer, with promising results. The treatment, called Photodynamic Therapy, involves activating light-sensitive drugs with long wavelengths of light, destroying tumors while sparing surrounding tissues.
Research shows that childhood cancer survivors have lower marriage rates than the general population, but with varying rates depending on sex and race. Males are equally likely to marry as their non-survivor counterparts, while females are less likely.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have made a breakthrough in treating multi-site brain cancers by combining tumor-attacking viruses with an approved chemotherapeutic drug. The treatment works by suppressing the immune system's antiviral response, allowing the virus to selectively kill malignant cells.
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has become the first medical center to use the GliaSite Radiation Therapy System, a device that delivers high doses of radiation directly into tumor tissue. This innovation aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with malignant brain tumors.
Researchers at Penn State's College of Medicine have identified a marker for certain types of brain tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which are the most prevalent and difficult-to-manage. The marker, interleukin 13 receptor, is present in over 90% of patients with GBM, making it a valuable diagnostic tool.
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, aims to speed the development of innovative treatments for children with brain tumors. The consortium brings together experts from eight institutions to conceive, develop and carry out pilot studies and early trials of promising new therapies.
A study of 203 children with medulloblastoma found that a tried-and-true chemotherapy protocol provides better results than a newer method, while the quality of neurosurgery also affects long-term survival rates. The ability to remove nearly all of the tumor is critical for improved outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have linked specific gene mutations to the growth of fatal brain tumors in flies, mirroring human cancer progression. The study's findings suggest that a key signaling pathway may be responsible for tumor growth, offering potential new avenues for cancer treatment.
The US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory is offering a new clinical trial for brain tumor patients, including those whose cancer is inoperable or has regrown. The trial aims to increase the radiation dose and expand eligibility requirements for glioblastoma multiforme patients.
Researchers discovered specific genetic changes that indicate whether chemotherapy is effective in treating patients with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. The discovery allows for immediate determination of chemotherapy response at diagnosis, offering improved treatment options for patients.
Researchers have discovered a gene called E2F1 that helps bring about tumor cell death yet is also necessary for their growth. The study found that without E2F1, tumors grew slower but cell death was reduced by 80 percent.
Squalamine, a novel liver steroid, has been shown to inhibit the growth of brain tumors called gliomas by disabling blood vessel formation. In laboratory tests, it proved as effective as carmustine in slowing tumor growth and constricting blood vessels, suggesting potential as a human therapy.
A recent study found that brain-enriched hyaluronan binding protein (BEHAB) is a key factor in brain cancer cells' ability to invade healthy tissue. Researchers hope to develop therapies that block BEHAB's function or reduce its production, potentially slowing tumor progression.
Scientists at NIH developed a new drug that reduces tumor size without severe side effects. In a clinical trial, 9 of 15 patients had significant tumor regression, with complete disappearance in two cases. A related therapy using virus-producing cells also showed promise, but only for small tumors.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are developing new brain tumor treatment protocols that use 3D imaging to accurately target tumors, reducing radiation doses and side effects. The protocols involve combining lower-dose radiation with chemotherapy to increase survival rates and minimize long-term damage.
Scientists activate protein receptor to stimulate cell death in brain tumors, potentially sparing normal brain tissue. The therapy shows promise in treating nearly untreatable primary central nervous system lymphomas.
A new study reveals that transcranial sonography is more sensitive than MRI and CT in detecting residual tumors and predicting patient survival after brain tumor surgery. This non-invasive imaging technique offers advantages, including lower cost, portability, and ease of use, making it a valuable tool for follow-up care.
Researchers found glioblastoma multiforme tumors resistant to procarbazine exhibited defects in mismatch repair, leading to drug resistance. The study may lead to more effective treatment of GBM, a common and virulent brain tumor.