New approach in cancer treatment

An international team involving scientists from the University of Nottingham has unveiled an innovative approach to understanding better the origin of cancer sub-types. The team used high resolution comparative genomic information to investigate the biology that drives the formation of different variations of the disease. This method was then used to create a laboratory model system which more accurately mimics the underlying disease and will, in turn, lead to the development of new drugs to target specific cancer variations far more effectively. Clinicians and scientists have long recognised that cancers may look the same under the microscope, but carry different mutations, respond differently to treatment and have markedly different outcomes for patients. The research focused on a tumour of the brain and spine called Ependymoma which can affect both adults and children. In children, the prognosis is generally poor, particularly after a relapse and new and better treatments are urgently needed. The new findings will be published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature on July 25 2010.