Experimental Therapy Halts Treatment-resistant Brain Tumors

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Researchers report lab breakthrough in human cells, mouse models for high grade gliomas

The protein encoded by the Olig2 gene is present in a vast majority of gliomas. Researchers have found that using a gene therapy can halt the growth of gliomas in both human cells and mouse models. Removing the Olig2 gene stops further tumor grown. Even further, removing or eliminating the Olig2-producing cells block any type of tumor formation. “We find that elimination of dividing Olif2-expressing cells block initiation and progression of glioma in animal models and further show that Olig2 is the molecular arbiter of genetic adaptability that makes high-grade gliomas aggressive and treatment resistant,” said Qing Richard Lu, PhD, lead investigator and scientific director of the Brain Tumor Center at Cincinnati Children’s. “By finding a way to inhibit Olig2 in tumor forming cells, we were able to change that tumor cells’ makeup and sensitize them to targeting molecular treatment. This suggests a proof for stratified therapy in distinct subtypes of malignant gliomas.” To read more, click here.

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