Therapeutic Targets in pilocytic astrocytoma based on genetic analysis

Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common astrocytic neoplasm of childhood. Patients have an extremely favorable prognosis after surgical resection, qualifying tumors for a grade I designation by the Word Health Organization. The molecular data on pilocytic astrocytoma supports a key role for BRAF in the pathogenesis of these tumors, with the KIAA1549-BRAF fusion being the most common alteration identified in sporadic cases, particularly those occurring in the posterior fossa. Constitutive activation of the BRAF oncogene leads to downstream activation of the MEK/MAPK/ERK/p16 pathway, which interestingly is also used by cells to activate oncogene-induced senescence.
Source: Seminars in Pediatric Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research