Archive for brain tumor
New insights on medulloblastoma from single-cell sequencing
Medulloblastoma, a malignant tumor in the cerebellum, is one of the most common malignant brain cancers in children. Survival rates range from 20 to 90 percent, depending on the genetic subtype. There are at least four: WNT and Sonic Hedgehog (named for the signaling pathways that drive them), Group 3, and Group 4. Group 3 ... Read More about New insights on medulloblastoma from single-cell sequencing
Single-cell sequencing reveals glioblastoma’s shape-shifting nature
Glioblastoma, a cancer that arises in the brain’s supporting glial cells, is one of the worst diagnoses a child can receive. The grade IV, highly malignant tumor aggressively infiltrates healthy brain tissue, and most children die of the disease within one to two years of diagnosis, similar to adults. “The current approach is surgical removal, ... Read More about Single-cell sequencing reveals glioblastoma’s shape-shifting nature
Overriding resistance to epigenetic inhibitors in neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma and other children’s cancers pose unique challenges. They’re not caused by the same kinds of genetic mutations that cause adult cancers, and only a minority of their mutations can be targeted with drugs. In a recent study, a team led by Kimberly Stegmaier, MD, at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center systematically deleted every gene ... Read More about Overriding resistance to epigenetic inhibitors in neuroblastoma
How I was inspired to become a nurse
On October 17, 2011, I woke up with a headache so severe I could not go to school. Even at age 13, I knew this type of pain was not normal, even though I had been having headaches for more than a year. Before I knew it, I was being rushed by ambulance to Boston ... Read More about How I was inspired to become a nurse
Typing medulloblastoma: From RNA to proteomics and phospho-proteomics
Medulloblastoma is one of the most common pediatric brain tumors, accounting for nearly 10 percent of cases. It occurs in the cerebellum, a complex part of the brain that controls balance, coordination and motor function and regulates verbal expression and emotional modulation. While overall survival rates are high, current therapies can be toxic and cause secondary ... Read More about Typing medulloblastoma: From RNA to proteomics and phospho-proteomics
Solving the DIPG puzzle a single cell at a time
For more than 15 years, pediatric neuro-oncologist Mariella Filbin, MD, PhD, has been on a scientific crusade to understand DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma). She hopes to one day be able to cure a disease that has historically been thought of as an incurable type of childhood brain cancer. “While I was in medical school, I ... Read More about Solving the DIPG puzzle a single cell at a time
Beyond appearances: Molecular genetics revises brain tumor classification and care
Pomeroy Scott Pomeroy, MD, PhD, is Neurologist-in-Chief at Boston Children’s Hospital. He practices in the Brain Tumor Center and is a member of the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center. For almost a century, brain tumors have been diagnosed based on their appearance under a microscope and classified by their resemblance to the brain cells from which ... Read More about Beyond appearances: Molecular genetics revises brain tumor classification and care
Not all brain tumors are made the same, and that’s important
When you look at an apple, no matter what variety, on the surface you can be pretty sure it’s actually an apple. From there, you can make lots of assumptions about it, like how it will taste when you bite into it and what will happen if you plant the seeds in your yard. With ... Read More about Not all brain tumors are made the same, and that’s important
Childhood brain cancer: Learning to divide and conquer
Diversity is good in populations of people, but when it comes to cancer, it’s bad news. In the case of medulloblastoma—the most common malignant brain cancer in children—tumor diversity has been one of the greatest barriers to designing effective treatments. Now, in the largest genomic study of human medulloblastomas ever, Children’s researchers and their collaborators ... Read More about Childhood brain cancer: Learning to divide and conquer