Entries by Tam

Dr. Walensky received the 2015 E. Mead Johnson Award for Research in Pediatrics

Dr. Walensky is one of two recipients of the 2015 E. Mead Johnson Award for Research in Pediatrics.  This award is given by the American Pediatric Society each year at their annual meeting, and honors outstanding clinical and laboratory research achievements in pediatrics.  To find out more about Dr. Walensky’s research, visit his lab website.  […]

Molecular typing of Meningiomas by Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Surgical Decision-Making

In May’s featured publication, Dr. Agar and colleagues developed tools using mass spectrometry to be used to characterize meningioma tumor from healthy brain tissue during surgery.  These tools could therefore enable surgeons to detect the borders of the tumor better, and remove only the tumor tissue, leaving the healthy brain tissue behind.  These developments could […]

Expression profiles of 151 pediatric low-grade gliomas reveal molecular differences associated with location and histological subtype

In our April featured publication, investigators from our Program and their collaborators analyzed the gene expression profiles of 151 pediatric low-grade glioma samples.  They discovered significant differences associated with the location of the tumor, the appearance of the tumor and BRAF mutation status.  In particular, supratentorial juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas were enriched with genes involved in […]

Dana-Farber Lab Rats are joining Geared Up for Kids 2015!

This year’s Geared Up for Kids 2015 is on June 7th, Cutler Park, Needham.  Registration is now open, please join us either walking, running or biking to fund raise for research into childhood brain tumors, and stick around afterwards for a family fun festival!  To find out more about our team click here.  We hope […]

BRAF Mutation and CDKN2A Deletion Define a Clinically Distinct Subgroup of Childhood Secondary High-Grade Glioma

In this month’s featured publication, Dr. Ligon and colleagues investigate the genetic changes that lead to the transformation of pediatric low-grade glioma to secondary high-grade glioma. Using advanced sequencing techniques, they analyzed 886 patient samples and showed there were recurrent alterations in BRAF (to BRAFV600E) and deletion of CDKN2A, amongst other changes in tumors that […]

Development of covalent inhibitors that can overcome resistance to first-generation FGFR kinase inhibitors

In this month’s featured publication, researchers in Dr. Gray’s group expand upon previous studies of the FGFR receptor, a protein found mutated in a subset of pilocytic astrocytomas.  However, a common problem in cancer is development of tumor resistance to chemotherapy over time.  Using structure-based drug design, they developed two next-generation covalent inhibitors that can […]

Time to Rethink the Unthinkable: Upfront Biopsy of Children With Newly Diasnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

In November’s featured publication, Dr. Kieran discusses diffuses intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) biopsy.  During the past 50 years, biopsy for these tumors have been discouraged due to excessive toxicity of the procedure.  However, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital have recently opened a multi-site national clinical trial of DIPG biopsy and chemotherapy to change the […]

Successful Treatment of a Progressive BRAF V600E-Mutated Anaplastic Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma with Vemurafenib Monotherapy

In October’s Featured Publication, Dr. Sandro Santagata treated a patient with BRAF V600E mutated pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma (PXA), a rare brain tumor in children and young adults. His team used Vemurafenib monotherapy  for the first time in the treatment of V600E-mutated glioma, and saw an encouraging response by the tumor to this approach, leading to the […]