At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, they believe in giving every child the best chance of a cure. By freely sharing knowledge, technology, and research data, they are saving the lives of children both in our clinics, and around the world. One of these projects is the Pediatric Cancer Genomics Project.
The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project is the largest investment to date aimed at understanding the genetic origins of childhood cancers. By identifying genetic changes that lead to the most deadly pediatric cancers.
In one of their latest studies, they focused on brain tumors known as low-grade gliomas (LGGs). These tumors are responsible for the most common childhood cancer of the brain and spinal cord. Surgery is an option for patients, however, nationwide, it cures only about one-third of patients. By using whole genome sequencing they have identified what alterations in the gene cause the tumor. With this information, researchers can start to develop treatments to address genetic defects.
Source Pediatric Cancer Genome Project
Brain Tumors: Low-grade gliomas We discovered mistakes in two genes responsible for more than 50 percent of diffuse low-grade gliomas, a subtype of the most common childhood tumor of the brain and spine. The findings raise hopes for targeted therapies against this hard-to-treat tumor.
Nature Genetics April 2013 Low-grade gliomas paper in PubMed
Release: Gene sequencing project finds new mutations to blame for a majority of brain tumor subtypeDegenerative Disorders