Medulloblastoma, the most common type of brain tumor in children was found to be addicted to an amino acid called glutamine. By starving children of this amino acid can improve the effect of chemotherapy, reveals a new study.
This early study was led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and funded by Children with Cancer UK and the Medical Research Council.
Brain Tumor in Children
An abnormal growth of cells in the brain is called brain tumor. Most tumors arise within the brain (primary). They can be benign or cancerous.
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‘Glutamine-restricted diet in brain tumor children can enhance the effect of chemotherapy and increase the life span.’
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Medulloblastoma is the most common solid primary brain tumour in children and a major cause of mortality in childhood cancers. Current treatments include a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and are effective in a majority of cases, but often associated with significant side effects, such as mental and physical disabilities.
First author Maria Niklison-Chirou from QMUL said: "If we can confirm in human patients that a glutamine restriction diet can be tolerated and is effective, it may be possible to use it to reduce the drug doses required to treat a proportion of patients with medulloblastoma. This may lead to more patients being cured or allow survivors to have a better quality of life."
![Mouse Model Sheds Light on Development of Brain Tumor in Children]( "Mouse Model Sheds Light on Development of Brain Tumor in Children")
Mouse model for human pediatric high-grade glioma sheds light on cancer genesis and neurodegeneration.
Cliff O'Gorman, Chief Executive of Children with Cancer UK, which co-funded the study, said: "We welcome these findings, which open up the possibility of kinder, more effective precision treatment for young patients with medullobastoma.
Children and young people with this devastating condition face aggressive treatments that can have a long-term impact on their health and well-being. It is crucial that we build on encouraging findings like these by investing in further studies and clinical trials to make cutting-edge treatment a reality for young cancer patients in the UK."
Dr Mariana Delfino-Machin, MRC Programme Manager for cancer, said:
"Medulloblastoma is the most common type of aggressive brain tumour in children, and the MRC is therefore proud to support research into this dreadful disease, including studies that aim to understand the molecular mechanisms that support the growth of such tumours. Studies of this nature are crucial, early steps in the process of developing more effective treatments that may also reduce the side-effects caused by standard therapies."
The study, published in Genes & Development, looked at cells from medulloblastoma patients, and mice which had the disease. The researchers studied the metabolic processes that allow the tumour cells to grow, including the absorption of amino acids, with the aim of identifying new approaches to inhibit their growth and enhance current treatments.
The team found that a proportion of medulloblastoma were 'addicted' to glutamine - an amino acid which is usually non-essential in normal cells.
They then fed a glutamine-restricted diet to mice with the disease, and found that this enhanced the effect of chemotherapy, and increased the life span of mice, even when they were treated with lower doses of chemotherapy.
The researchers warn that although these preclinical results are promising, further studies are required to assess whether a similar approach can be applied to human patients.
Source: Eurekalert
Mouse Model Sheds Light on Development of Brain Tumor in Children
Mouse model for human pediatric high-grade glioma sheds light on cancer genesis and neurodegeneration.
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Cliff O'Gorman, Chief Executive of Children with Cancer UK, which co-funded the study, said: "We welcome these findings, which open up the possibility of kinder, more effective precision treatment for young patients with medullobastoma.
Children and young people with this devastating condition face aggressive treatments that can have a long-term impact on their health and well-being. It is crucial that we build on encouraging findings like these by investing in further studies and clinical trials to make cutting-edge treatment a reality for young cancer patients in the UK."
Dr Mariana Delfino-Machin, MRC Programme Manager for cancer, said:
"Medulloblastoma is the most common type of aggressive brain tumour in children, and the MRC is therefore proud to support research into this dreadful disease, including studies that aim to understand the molecular mechanisms that support the growth of such tumours. Studies of this nature are crucial, early steps in the process of developing more effective treatments that may also reduce the side-effects caused by standard therapies."
The study, published in Genes & Development, looked at cells from medulloblastoma patients, and mice which had the disease. The researchers studied the metabolic processes that allow the tumour cells to grow, including the absorption of amino acids, with the aim of identifying new approaches to inhibit their growth and enhance current treatments.
The team found that a proportion of medulloblastoma were 'addicted' to glutamine - an amino acid which is usually non-essential in normal cells.
They then fed a glutamine-restricted diet to mice with the disease, and found that this enhanced the effect of chemotherapy, and increased the life span of mice, even when they were treated with lower doses of chemotherapy.
The researchers warn that although these preclinical results are promising, further studies are required to assess whether a similar approach can be applied to human patients.
Source: Eurekalert
Growth Factor for Brain Tumor in Children Identified
Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital have identifies the molecular pathway essential for the growth and spread of medulloblastoma
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Brain Tumor in Children: New Therapy Target Offers HopeDiffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a type of brain tumor in children. Restoring the p16 gene could help in treatment. | Advertisement
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