Gene mutations pinned for brain cancer
Medulloblastoma is the most common paediatric malignant brain cancer. Image: mphillips007/iStockphoto Children diagnosed with the most common paediatric malignant brain cancer, medulloblastoma, will benefit from more targeted treatment following the identification of genetic mutations in the cancer.The international research findings published in Nature may lead to the development of new drugs and better outcomes for patients, says Richard Cohn, Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales.A specialist at the Centre for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders, Associate Professor Cohn contributed to the research led by a team at St Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center in the United States.“The discovery of tumour-specific gene alterations linked to subtypes of medulloblastoma provides important insights into the development of the cancer and highlights targets for new treatment approaches,” he said.The findings were a direct result of collaboration between six children’s oncology centres internationally, which pooled patient specimens and information.“Now that we know about these...