Researchers at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center have discovered a gene variant that increases the risk of certain types of brain tumors, making it easier to identify those at risk of developing the tumors, and subsequently improving treatment.
According to Dr. Robert Jenkins and his team, "people who carry a 'G' instead of an 'A' at a specific location in their genetic code have...a sixfold increased risk of developing certain subtypes of gliomas, which account for about 20% of brain cancers diagnosed in the United States." According to these findings, clinical tests are already being considered, as it may be possible to identify patients with particular brain scan abnormalities via a blood test.
More information on this study is available by clicking here.
Study mentioned: Jenkins RB et al. A low-frequency variant at 8q24.21 is strongly associated with risk of oligodendroglial tumors and astrocytomas with IDH1 or IDH2 mutation. Nat Genet. 2012 Aug 26 [Epub ahead of print]. PMID 22922872
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