Glioblastoma is ten different diseases, each with specific genetic faults, British researchers reported last night.
Some forms of the disease have tens of thousands of genetic errors while some are caused by a single error involving two fused genes, according to the analysis reported in Cancer Cell.
Scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research, London, studied genetic data from more than 1,000 patients under the age of 30. Some 910 had been involved in earlier analysis while 157 were being studied for the first time.
This showed that the least aggressive form of the cancer was linked to mutations in the BRAF gene – and were also potentially treatable with existing drugs.
There were further mutations found in familiar cancer genes such as PDGFRA, KIT, MYCN, EGFR and CDK6, suggesting forms of disease that could also be treated with existing drugs.
Researcher Professor Chris Jones said: “Our study uncovered a wealth of new information about children’s brain cancers. We found that tumours that have historically been lumped together under one diagnosis are in fact comprised of many, remarkably different, diseases.
“Treating cancer based only on what we see down the microscope simply isn’t good enough any more. We need to start thinking about these as completely different cancers and diagnosing and treating them based on their genetic faults.
“It’s exciting that several types look like they could be clearly treatable using either existing drugs on the market or other treatments under development.”
Institute chief executive Professor Paul Workman said: “This important study is a vital step forward.
“We really need to get much better at making modern, targeted cancer treatments available for children, which means improving access to genetic testing and changing regulations so more drugs get tested in paediatric clinical trials.”
Cancer Cell 28 September 2017
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