Glioblastoma genome
The genome of the most aggressive brain tumor has been decodedNews from UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center: UCLA Researchers Perform Complete Genomic Sequencing of Brain
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, for the first time performed a complete genomic study of cells of a malignant brain tumor - glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most frequent and most aggressive brain tumor caused by malignant degeneration of glial cells. This type of malignant tumors does not respond well to surgical, radiation and drug therapy. Currently used methods of treatment are not able to significantly increase the life expectancy of patients, most of whom die within less than a year and a half after the detection of the disease.
As a result of the study, scientists managed to create a complete list of various mutations leading to the development of a malignant neoplasm and its spread in brain tissues.
According to the coordinator of the research project Stan Nelson, thanks to the introduction of high-precision and cheap research methods, the cost of decoding the genome of a malignant tumor amounted to only 35 thousand dollars. For comparison, the financing of the project on the complete decoding of the human genome completed several years ago exceeded a billion dollars.
The study used a U87 glioblastoma cell line, samples of which were repeatedly studied in leading laboratories around the world. The authors of the new work managed to compile a complete list of mutations and chromosomal abnormalities that distinguish glioblastoma cells from healthy brain cells.
Decoding the genome of glioblastoma cells will allow scientists to clarify the causes of this disease and develop new methods of drug action on the tumor. In addition, knowledge of the genetic characteristics of tumor cells opens up opportunities for the development of highly sensitive methods of genetic diagnosis, allowing to determine the most effective treatment regimen, evaluate its effectiveness, as well as monitor possible relapses of the disease.
The research report is published in the journal PLoS Genetics.
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