New research by Queen's University Belfast and the University of Bristol has helped characterise DNA mutations in brain tumours, a step toward precision brain cancer treatments.
Around 16,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year, and treatment options are currently very limited. The position of a brain tumour can make removal by surgery very dangerous, and many of the drugs used to treat other forms of cancer can't pass through the blood-brain barrier.
A new study led by the University of Bristol's Brain Tumour Research Centre in collaboration with the Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s University Belfast has made an important step forward in the development of precision treatments for brain tumours. Brain cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer deaths in those under 40 years old, with a five-year survival rate of just 20% compared to the 50% average five-year survival rate for all forms of cancer.
The study analysed and characterised the DNA mutations in cancerous tumours extracted from 41 patients, providing a database of specific mutations along with data on them before and after treatment. Cancer can be caused by a number of different mutations, but the same medication and treatment plans are often used for all tumour types.
The results of the study show that specific tumour types arise from specific mutations, and produces data on how each one responded to the treatment given. This is an important step in the development of precision medicine for brain tumours, and could inform a more targetted treatment for each patient based on the specific mutation their tumour has.
The research was published in the Journal of Oncology, and highlights that certain tumours may respond better to different combinations of existing licensed cancer drugs. A more precision approach would increase the effectiveness of the treatment with less medication, reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes.
Queen’s University Belfast Professor Kevin Prise, who co-authored the research paper, commented on the work: "With only five per cent of the national spend on cancer research allocated to brain cancer, there is a pressing need to build capacity and develop research programs for brain tumour research throughout the UK particularly to advance precision medicine. Precision medicine promises to offer more individualised treatments and better outcomes for brain tumour patients."
Source: Queen's University Belfast
