Pediatric Cancers: A Biomarker Indicates Progress

What are the? glioma? They are tumors of the cells of the glia, or of the nervous system. They have the function of supporting neurons and are common in children. On the positive side, however, gliomas are low-malignant and treatable with surgical removal and other experimental therapies.

Even if they are surgically removed, it does not mean that the progression of gliomas can be prevented. Until now, the biomarker (biomarkers), they can predict in which type of patients the tumor may recur.

Our study is the first in pediatric low-grade gliomas to demonstrate the possibility of identifying a biomarker capable of identifying patients at risk for progression.

Elisabetta Ferretti, coordinator of the Sapienza . Experimental Medicine Department

These cancers can stand still for decades or advance their stage. Being able to predict the
risk of progression at the time of diagnosis for the doctor it is extremely important. A way to avoid subjecting small patients with a low risk of progression to aggressive treatments with bad effects on the neurocognitive system.

Giuseppina Catanzaro and Zein Mersini Besharat, lead authors of the study and researchers from Sapienza’s Department of Experimental Medicine, conclude:

While the utility of this biomarker has yet to be confirmed, it represents a promising starting point for the initial definition of patients and, above all, arouses the hope of the scientific community to contribute to the development of personalized care in precision medicine.

The study was born out of a collaboration between several medical departments at La Sapienza and the IRCCS
Baby Jesus The University Hospital of Heidelberg, the University of Aix-Marseille, the University are also active
Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Rome and the IRCCS Neuromed of Pozzilli.