The malignant brain tumor type medulloblastoma can become resistant to therapy, which can cause relapse.
Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have discovered a protein that makes tumor cells insensitive to radiation treatment. The scientists hope the results could lead to better treatments for children with the highest risk to develop relapses.
Avoiding treatment
Medulloblastoma is the most common form of malignant brain tumor in children, which often can be cured with operation, radiation and chemotherapy. But a distinct type of medulloblastoma has an increased risk of becoming resistant to the treatment. This will cause recurrence that is strongly connected to increased mortality.
That certain cancer cells can avoid treatment suggests there are biologic factors inside cancer cells that can enhance their resistance toward, for example, radiation. In the present study, the research team showed certain cells within the tumor bulk did not divide as often as other cancer cells did, which made them less sensitive to irradiation. They also found an accumulation of a protein, SOX9, in recurrent samples from patients that had been operated before and after they developed a relapse. They then suspected that SOX9 was involved in the recurrence process.
Source: Researchers discover protein facilitates relapse of pediatric brain tumors
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