Medulloblastoma is a commonly occurring pediatric brain cancer in kids and adolescents. The cancer develops within the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement and other functions. These tumors enlarge quickly, can grow into nearby tissues, and in some cases, can metastasize. The variations in these tumors make it challenging to find appropriate treatments.
Now a recent study in Germany has come up with findings which shed light on the exact location where these aggressive tumors normally first develop. The findings appeared in the Nature journal.
The study’s first author Konstantin Okonechnikov explains that they genetically characterized thousands of tumor cells obtained from pediatric patients diagnosed with medulloblastoma. They used technology that enabled them to get high-resolution pictures of the genetic composition of tumors in order to reconstruct the developmental history of those tumors.
The team based on the understanding that some genetic changes inside tumors occur early during disease development while others happen later. By tracking these genetic changes, the researchers traced back how each tumor developed.
From their analysis, the researchers say that subgroups 3 and 4 of the most aggressive medulloblastomas possibly develop between Trimester One of fetus development in the womb and by the first birthday of the child.
The team suggests that specialized nerve cells referred to as unipolar brush cells, found inside the cerebellum, serve as precursor cells for medulloblastoma development. Incidentally, these precursor cells also develop within that timeframe in which the medulloblastoma tumors initially develop. The scientists think the initial rearrangements of chromosome arms or even whole chromosomes play a role in tumor development. Those rearrangements result in the cells gaining or even losing particular chromosomes. Initially, these rearrangements seem to happen by chance.
The researchers think the gain or loss of chromosomes triggers tumor development, and this happens several years prior to symptom manifestation.
Their analysis revealed that tumor cells in later stages of the cancer carry the MYCN, PRDM6 or MYC cancer genes known to occur in patients with medulloblastoma. They say in their conclusion that the cancer genes aren’t necessarily responsible for cancer development but drive tumor progression, metastasis and treatment resistance.
The team hopes that their findings could result in diagnostic tests to detect the early changes which pave the way for medulloblastoma development. For instance, blood samples could be analyzed to check for particular fragments of DNA from the precursor cells. The test results could then inform the next course of action.
That next course of action could, hopefully, include administering novel treatments from companies like CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) that are focused on developing efficacious treatments targeting pediatric central nervous system cancers.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CNSP
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