Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have made strides in understanding the aggressive nature of multiply recurrent meningiomas (MRMs), a severe form of brain tumor. Their findings, published in Science Advances, could pave the way for new biomarkers and therapeutic options.
Dr. Akash J. Patel, associate professor at Baylor, explained that while surgery and radiation often treat meningiomas effectively, about 20% become aggressive and recur. A smaller group resists treatment and recurs multiple times. Dr. Albert H. Kim from WashU Medicine added that identifying which tumors will recur could transform treatment approaches.
The study analyzed tumors from 1,186 patients with primary meningiomas, finding 31 that developed into MRMs. Researchers noted MRMs are more numerous, larger, and more prevalent in men than women.
Chromosomal analysis revealed greater instability in MRMs compared to non-recurrent meningiomas (NRM). "It has been well established that chromosomal instability is present in many human cancers," Patel said, highlighting its association with aggressive forms like MRMs.
Additionally, increased DNA methylation was observed in MRM genomes. Patel noted reduced expression of gene EDNRB in these tumors led to increased cell proliferation when knocked down in lab settings.
"This information will teach us how to fight them better with precision medicine," Kim stated.
The study involved several contributors including Drs. Sangami Pugazenthi and Bhuvic Patel at WashU Medicine and Dr. Collin W. English at Baylor as co-first authors.
Funding came from various sources such as the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Research Fund GF0010218 and the Duesenberg Research Fund among others.
