New Study Could Lead to More Effective Treatments for Common Childhood Brain Tumours

Scientists have found evidence to suggest that certain genetic mutations play a key role in determining how children with brain tumours will respond to chemotherapy – reveals research published today in peer-reviewed science journal Cell Death & Disease. Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust believes the development will improve treatment options for children affected by the medulloblastoma tumour type and might go some way to increasing survival rates in the UK. The research conducted by University of Liverpool and funded by Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, has identified specific mutations within tumour cells that make them less sensitive or even completely resistant to the chemotherapeutic drug etoposide. Scientists say the study is significant because it has depicted a new molecular mechanism activated by etoposide that has clear implications for future clinical treatments. It demonstrates that the genetic background of brain tumour cells determines their sensitivity to chemotherapy and this has to be taken into account for efficient therapeutic intervention. Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in childhood, and affects about 90 children each year in the UK. Current treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Survival rates are around 60% but there is great variation in this, depending for example on the exact type of tumour and its spread. The research team was led by Dr Violaine Sée, of the University of Liverpool, and Dr Barry Pizer of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool. They analysed how medulloblastoma cells reacted in the laboratory in the presence of etoposide, which is used in the clinic. They have shown that etoposide induces the activation of specific proteins that are responsible for switching some genes on. When these proteins are mutated or not functional, the genes are not activated and the cells cannot be killed by the drug. Dr Sée said: “The new study marks an exciting development in the quest to improve the treatment of brain tumours. It is very important and offers the potential to help healthcare professionals give the most appropriate type of chemotherapy based on the molecular profile of an individual’s tumour. By focusing on the characteristics of individual tumours, we may soon be able to offer the treatment that will work best for each individual patient, significantly improving prognosis.” Paul Carbury, CEO of Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, said: “We are committed to collaborative funding of research that will lead to a better prognosis for this devastating disease; this study marks an advance in our understanding and we hope that it will lead to the development of more effective treatments for brain tumours.” Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust is the biggest brain tumour charity in the UK, and currently spends around £1m per year on much-needed research in this field. The Trust was set up in 1996 by Neil and Angela Dickson, whose daughter died from a brain tumour at the age of 16. -Ends- For media enquiries, please contact Louise Evans or Charlotte Maule on 01252 725346 or 07891 242476 Notes to editors Dr Violaine Sée is a BBSRC David Phillips Research Fellow at University of Liverpool and Dr Barry Pizer is Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Trust, Liverpool, and both specialise in brain tumours. About Medulloblastomas Medulloblastoma is a rapidly-growing tumour of the cerebellum — the lower, rear portion of the brain. Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in childhood and accounts for 15–20% of central nervous system (CNS) cancers. The large majority of medulloblastomas occur within the first decade of life with a peak incidence between 4 and 7 years of age.

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