Molecular marker could predict tumor progression

A team of scientists from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have developed a method that can predict tumour progression by tracking a molecular marker in tissue samples.

The molecular marker has been linked with better survival rates, and closely monitoring the marker could provide a more effective way for doctors to track their patients' recovery after surgery.  This can determine how aggressive the follow-up treatment will be.

The chemical, called 2-HG, is linked to mutations in a gene known as IDH1, which is common in low-grade tumours and linked with higher survival rates. It has been found that over 70 per cent of patients with low-grade gliomas have mutations to the IDH1 genes in their cancer cells.

The technique has not yet been optimised for every-day use in the clinic, although it provides useful insights for doctors to gauge cancer recurrence.

According to Sarah Nelson, PhD, of the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, the study will now move to "developing methods to obtain images in a clinical setting".

Posted by Neil Clark