Entries by Tam

Spatial and temporal homogeneity of driver mutations in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

In this month’s featured publication, Dr. Ligon and colleagues analyzed 134 diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) samples for their genetic make-up.  They determined that the DIPG tumors are associated with a particular mutation H3K27M, which is the initial driver of tumor formation, and that this mutation is maintained throughout the course of disease.  These findings […]

Clinical and treatment factors determining long-term outcomes for adult survivors of childhood low-grade glioma: A population-based study.

In this month’s Featured Publication, Dr. Kieran and colleagues studied the outcomes of adult survivors of pediatric low-grade glioma over a 27 year span.  They found that overall, patients showed excellent long-term survival, but this was somewhat decreased in patients who had received upfront radiotherapy.  The article suggests that these observations be considered when treatment […]

MYB-QKI rearrangements in angiocentric glioma drive tumorigenicity through a tripartite mechanism

In this month’s featured publication, researchers from the PLGA Program and their collaborators identify a new genetic driver of pediatric angiocentric glioma, called MYB-QKI.  The genetic driver of angiocentric gliomas was previously unknown.  MYB-QKI is an fusion protein that can drive tumor formation by several mechanisms, and its presence in a tumor sample provides an […]

Myxopapillary ependymomas in children: imaging, treatment and outcomes

In this month’s featured publication, Drs. Ligon, Beroukhim, Kieran and colleagues published a study of the treatment and outcome of children with myxopapillary ependymomas (MPE), a rare spinal tumor.  They examined the diagnosis, imaging, treatment and clinical outcome of eighteen children over a period of 30 years, and found patients with MPE have an excellent […]

Genomic Characterization of Brain Metastases Reveals Branched Evolution and Potential Therapeutic Targets.

In this month’s featured publication, Drs. Santagata, Ligon, and Beroukhim and colleagues published a study where they analyzed brain metastases for alterations in their genetic profiles.   In about half of the cases they found different genetic alterations in the brain metastases when compared with the primary tumor site.  This study showed that the genetically […]

MALDI mass spectrometry imaging analysis of pituitary adenomas for near-real-time tumor delineation

In September’s featured publication, Dr. Nathalie Agar and colleagues show how mass spectrometry imaging can be used to detect pituitary tumors during surgery.  This technology may allow surgeons to characterize between the tumor and healthy tissue border in 30 minutes or less, and can be applied for near-real-time detection and surgical decision-making.