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VANCOUVER, BC – A significant advancement in pediatric oncology has emerged from Canadian research, offering new hope for children battling medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Researchers have developed a simple yet effective test that can identify high-risk tumors, enabling doctors to tailor treatments and potentially spare young patients from harmful side effects.
Spearheaded by researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), BC Cancer, and BC Children’s Hospital, the new technique utilizes immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect the presence of the MYC protein, a marker found to be prominent in the most aggressive forms of medulloblastoma.
“This test will allow hospitals around the world to identify high-risk cases without requiring expensive or complex technology. More children will receive the right treatment based on their tumor type,” said Dr. Alberto Delaidelli, the study’s first author and a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of UBC professor Dr. Poul Sorensen.
Medulloblastoma affects approximately 500 children annually in Canada and the U.S., making improved diagnosis and treatment a critical priority. While some children respond well to standard treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, others face aggressive tumors prone to relapse.
Current diagnostic methods often rely on complex and costly genetic tests, limiting their accessibility. Dr. Sorensen and his team addressed this challenge by using proteomics to identify key protein markers. They discovered that the MYC protein is a strong indicator of aggressive tumor behavior.
By applying IHC to nearly 400 tumor samples, researchers found that MYC-positive tumors were significantly more likely to relapse and resist treatment. This discovery allows for the rapid and widespread implementation of the test, as IHC is a routine procedure in pathology labs worldwide.
“Our test can be performed in a single day by any pathology lab around the world, instead of waiting weeks for complex genetic tests,” said Dr. Sorensen. “It’s a practical solution for hospitals everywhere—no expensive equipment, no long delays, just better, faster care for children with brain tumors.”
The ability to accurately identify high-risk tumors is crucial for personalized treatment. Current standard treatments, particularly radiation therapy, can cause severe long-term side effects in young children, including learning disabilities and developmental delays. The MYC test can help doctors determine which children truly require radiation and which can safely avoid it.
This collaborative research effort, involving institutions in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Halifax, and Heidelberg, Germany, represents a major step towards making personalized medulloblastoma treatment a global reality.
The findings were published in the journal Neuro-Oncology.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the provided information and is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment. The research described is a scientific advancement, and clinical implementation may vary. Further studies and clinical trials may be required before widespread adoption.
