Recurrent medulloblastoma (MB) is nearly universally fatal, and surgery at the time of recurrence is associated with significant morbidity and discomfort. Presently, novel agents are tested in children with recurrent MB based on the unsubstantiated assumption that a MB tumour at recurrence is highly similar to the tumour at diagnosis. However, a recent genomic study demonstrated that MB presents a striking evolutionary plasticity over time showing that only 11.8% of genetic alterations identified at diagnosis are also present in the recurrent tumour. This demonstrates a substantial genetic divergence at recurrence highlighting the need of better cellular systems to model the recurrent disease.
Grant Award – Studentship 2017-2018
Funding Award – £2000
Funding Awarded to – Dr Gianpiero di Leva
Research Location – University of Salford
Lead Researcher – Dr Gianpiero di Leva
0161 295 3864 