DNA-level biomarker can predict overall survival for rare brain tumors
(Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center) MGMT promoter methylation status -- information gathered at a DNA-level -- can help predict overall survival for patients with a rare form of brain cancer known as anaplastic astrocytoma, according to a new analysis from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James). (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - September 26, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Genetic alterations that make a type of brain cancer more aggressive were identified
(Funda ç ã o de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de S ã o Paulo) The study set out to identify the mechanisms that make astrocytomas so aggressive and to find ways to customize treatment to patient needs. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - September 6, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
[Research Article] Decoupling genetics, lineages, and microenvironment in IDH-mutant gliomas by single-cell RNA-seq
Tumor subclasses differ according to the genotypes and phenotypes of malignant cells as well as the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME). We dissected these influences in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)–mutant gliomas by combining 14,226 single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) profiles from 16 patient samples with bulk RNA-seq profiles from 165 patient samples. Differences in bulk profiles between IDH-mutant astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma can be primarily explained by distinct TME and signature genetic events, whereas both tumor types share similar developmental hierarchies and lineages of glial differentiation...
Source: ScienceNOW - March 31, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Andrew S. Venteicher Source Type: news
Dylan discovers a new sport during cancer treatment
Balloons of various colors are taped in a row across the wall. Twenty yards away, 8-year-old Dylan Berio announces “yellow,” pulls back the string of his bow, then releases — smiling as he hears the pop. His arrow successfully pierced the yellow balloon.
Archery requires focus and precision — something Dylan has in ample quantities. That would be impressive in its own right, but it’s even more remarkable given that he’s been on and off chemotherapy since age 3 ½ to treat pilocytic astrocytomas (brain tumors). As a result of the tumors, he lost most of the vision in one eye, and he needs glasses for both eyes. ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - September 8, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Linda Watts Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Brain tumor Cancer Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center Source Type: news
Kelsey’s transformation: From stroke survivor to motivational speaker
“When I woke up after my stroke, all I wanted was to be normal again,” recalls Kelsey Tainsh. Normal — as in a healthy teen athlete who could brush her teeth and shower on her own, who wasn’t wheelchair-bound, who wasn’t compelled to hide her paralyzed right hand in her pocket everywhere she went, one who hadn’t lost all of her high school friends except for her two triplet sisters.
Now, this world-champion athlete not only learned to walk and talk again but also to embrace her differences. “Our hardest obstacles can be our biggest opportunities,” she says.
Kelsey’s first taste of being different came at ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - March 16, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Lisa Fratt Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Brain tumor Mark Rockoff R. Michael Scott stroke Source Type: news
In precision medicine, pioneering young patient teaches veteran doctor
Allison Schablein seems an unlikely candidate to teach medicine to Mark Kieran. She’s an 8-year-old New Hampshire second grader who loves basketball, hip hop, acrobatic dancing and jewelry. He’s a pediatric neuro-oncologist with a PhD in molecular biology, not to mention decades of clinical and research experience. But teach Kieran, Allison does.
In December 2012, Allison was diagnosed with metastatic anaplastic astrocytoma brain tumors — two on her brain stem, two on her spine, and three at the top of her head. She had surgery and chemotherapy — and for two months her tumors responded to therapy. Then treatment st...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - January 28, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Irene Sege Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Research Brain tumor Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center glioma Mark Kieran precision medicine Source Type: news
[Research Article] Pleiotrophin promotes vascular abnormalization in gliomas and correlates with poor survival in patients with astrocytomas
Secretion of pleiotrophin by aggressive gliomas triggers the formation of abnormal blood vessels by endothelial cells. (Source: Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment)
Source: Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment - December 9, 2015 Category: Science Authors: Lei Zhang, Soumi Kundu, Tjerk Feenstra, Xiujuan Li, Chuan Jin, Liisi Laaniste, Tamador Elsir Abu El Hassan, K. Elisabet Ohlin, Di Yu, Tommie Olofsson, Anna-Karin Olsson, Fredrik Pontén, Peetra U. Magnusson, Karin Forsberg Nilsson, Magnus Essand, Anja Smi Source Type: news
Everolimus Results Improve for SEGA in Tuberous Sclerosis Everolimus Results Improve for SEGA in Tuberous Sclerosis
The EXIST-1 extension trial shows that rates of response to treatment with everolimus improved after 4 years in patients with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Neurology and Neurosurgery Headlines)
Source: Medscape Neurology and Neurosurgery Headlines - November 2, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery News Source Type: news
Anaplastic Astrocytoma Therapeutic Products and Pipeline Assessment...
RnRMarketResearch.com adds “Anaplastic Astrocytoma - Pipeline Review, H1 2015” to its store. The report provides an overview of the anaplastic astrocytoma's therapeutic pipeline.(PRWeb June 18, 2015)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/anaplastic-astrocytoma/pipeline-review-h1-2015/prweb12797476.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)
Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals - June 19, 2015 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
Study supports IDH gene as prognostic marker in anaplastic astrocytoma
(Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center) A new study suggests that the mutation status of a gene called IDH1 might have prognostic value for anaplastic astrocytomas, and that it may be worth exploring further whether IDH1 status can predict the best chemotherapy for these patients. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - June 3, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Christmas season brings special gifts for “Young and strong” violinist with brain tumor
On December 5, just after the students of Carolyn Bever’s Violin Studio finished playing “The First Noel” for the residents of the Pines Senior Living Community in South Burlington, Vermont, 9-year-old Sophie Fellows quietly left the stage because of a headache. The next day she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and the following day she was transported by ambulance from the University of Vermont Medical Center to Boston Children’s Hospital.
“Christmas concerts are my most favorite part of [playing the ] violin,” Sophie says. “I felt really bad that I couldn’t finish the concert.”
The day before Sophie’...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - January 5, 2015 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Guest Blogger Source Type: news
Study shows tale of 2 prognoses in pediatric brain tumor, pilocytic astrocytoma
(University of Colorado Denver) Research presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting 2014 used a newly designed test for K:B fusion to show that point mutations lead to a more dangerous form of the disease than does K:B fusion. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - June 2, 2014 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Spinal Cord AstrocytomasSpinal Cord Astrocytomas
This study takes a look at the outcomes in those who underwent surgical resection. Spine (Source: Medscape Orthopaedics Headlines)
Source: Medscape Orthopaedics Headlines - April 24, 2014 Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery Journal Article Source Type: news
Scientists find potential drug targets in deadly pediatric brain tumors
(Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) Researchers studying a rare, always fatal brain tumor in children have found several molecular alterations that drive the cancer, according to a new study from scientists at Dana-Farber/ Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and McGill University. The findings identify potential new targets for drug treatments. The new research -- published Apr. 6 in Nature Genetics -- could help physicians choose targeted agents with a better chance of combating pediatric high-grade astrocytomas. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - April 6, 2014 Category: Biology Source Type: news
Global connections: Khalid’s story
When faced with a sick child, every parent in the world wants the same thing—the best care possible. Often, all it takes is a quick visit with the local health care provider. Occasionally, it means a trip to the local hospital or short stay at an academic medical center. In rare cases, obtaining the best care requires an extraordinary effort.
A mother finds herself researching the world’s best pediatric neurosurgeons. An uncle turns to YouTube to learn more about brain tumors. Physicians on opposite corners of the globe find ways to communicate and collaborate. And a family boards an air ambulance, embarking on a 7,000...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - February 10, 2014 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Lisa Fratt Tags: All posts Global health Brain tumor neurosurgery Source Type: news
