Suspicions confirmed: Brain tumors in children have a common cause

(Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres) An overactive signaling pathway is a common cause in cases of pilocytic astrocytoma, the most frequent type of brain cancer in children. This was discovered by a network of scientists coordinated by the German Cancer Research Center (as part of the International Cancer Genome Consortium, ICGC). In all 96 cases studied, the researchers found defects in genes involved in a particular pathway. Hence, drugs can be used to help affected children by blocking components of the signaling cascade.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news