Study findings from Hospital for Sick Children provide new insights into brain cancer
2007 NOV 12 -- New investigation results, 'Bmi1 and cell of origin determinants of brain tumor phenotype,' are detailed in a study published in Cancer Cell. "Glioblastomas frequently express oncogenic EGFR and loss of the Ink4a/Arf locus. Bmi1, a positive regulator of stem cell self renewal, may be critical to drive brain tumor growth," researchers in Toronto, Canada report. "In this issue of Cancer Cell, Bruggeman and colleagues suggest that brain tumors with these molecular alterations can be initiated in both neural precursor and differentiated cell compartments in the absence of Bmi1; however, tumorigenicity is reduced, and tumors contain fewer precursor cells. Surprisingly, tumors appear less malignant when initiated in precursor cells," wrote P. Dirks and colleagues, Hospital for Sick Children. The researchers concluded: "Bmi1-deficient tumors also had fewer neuronal lineage cells, suggesting a role for Bmi1 in determination of cell lineage and tumor phenotype." Dirks and colleagues published their study in Cancer Cell (Bmi1 and cell of origin determinants of brain tumor phenotype. Cancer Cell, 2007;12(4):295-7). For additional information, contact P. Dirks, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada. Publisher contact information for the journal Cancer Cell is: Cell Press, 1100 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. Keywords: Canada, Toronto, Brain Cancer, Brain Carcinoma, Oncology, Stem Cell Research. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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