By Admin at 31 Jul 2017, 09:41 AM

Glioma is the most common type of brain cancer, representing nearly 75 percent of all malignant tumors found in the brain. Such tumors are difficult to detect early and effective treatments are lacking, which makes a new meta-analysis of brain cancer — the largest to date — of particularly great importance.

The meta-analysis of nearly 12,500 glioma cases (and 18,000 people without glioma) revealed 13 new genetic markers that are linked to an increased risk of glioma.

Genome-wide association analysis, which involves searching the human genome for small variations that occur more often in people with a particular disease than in people without the disease, was used to discover the genetic risk factors.

“We now have a more comprehensive genetic profile of the disease spectrum that expands our understanding of glioma susceptibility,” Dr. Melissa Bondy, professor of medicine, associate director for population sciences at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and McNair Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine, said in a press release.

The study also revealed that different genetic risk factors influence the risk of two glioma subtypes, glioblastoma and non-glioblastoma, the former of which is particularly aggressive and has a 5-year survival rate ranging from 4 percent to 17 percent.

“These data substantiate that genetic susceptibility to GBM [glioblastoma] and non-GBM tumors are highly distinct, which likely reflects different etiology,” the study noted, and suggests different treatment options may also be called for.

As a result of the new findings, “The changes in the way we think about glioma could be quite fundamental,” said study co-leader Richard Houlston, professor of molecular and population genetics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.

Not only could treatments be tailored based on the person’s genetic profile but people at high genetic risk could be identified, leading to earlier detection or even, potentially, pre-emptive treatment.

It’s estimated that 24,000 people will be diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 and another 17,000 will die from the disease. As part of National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, it’s encouraged that you “Go Gray in May” — via signs, stickers, t-shirts or social media — to help raise awareness about brain cancer and show your support for those affected. 

Sources

American Brain Tumor Association, Brain Tumor Statistics
U.S. National Library of Medicine, Genetics Home Reference
Science Daily March 27, 2017
American Cancer Society, Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Survival Rates
American Cancer Society, Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

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