Brain tumors: New gene clues

By Rachel Stockton

Just as the death of Michael Jackson has caused the media to begin focusing on drug abuse, Senator Ted Kennedy’s ordeal with a brain tumor has turned the attention of the public toward both malignant and non-malignant tumors in the brain.

The lethality of brain cancer is a given; the average lifespan of those who have been diagnosed is only 12-14 months. A couple of new breakthroughs, however, seem promising, and may eventually alter the course of treatment.

Northwestern University’s Brain Tumor Institute is revealing the results of two new studies in the Journal of American Medical Association. In the first study, researchers identified 31 different genes involved in brain tumor proliferation. If these genes contain a certain mutation, the stage is set for tumors to take over rampantly. Dr. Marcus Bredel, the lead author of the study, refers to this network as a perfect example of organized crime. Identifying the network and understanding how it contributes to the spread of cancerous growths may provide researchers with a place to start, when it comes to genetically based treatment.

The second study focused on a specific gene: ANXA7. Although this particular gene fights tumor growth, patients who have only one copy of it are at a clear disadvantage. When only one copy is present, it may actually facilitate further tumor developments.

Traditional chemotherapy hasn’t been able to do much for brain cancer patients because of what medical professionals refer to as the “blood-brain barrier.” This physical barricade prevents traditional chemotherapy from reaching malignant tumors.

Surgical removal is no less risky; according to WebMd, because the brain is the “command center” of the body, treating its deadly anomalies is problematic, no matter what method is ultimately decided upon.

In response to the studies, Dr. Bredel says that he believes a reasonable, long term goal is to relegate brain cancer to a chronic disease, knocking it off of its pedestal as a certain death sentence.