Monday, January 20, 2014

Glioblastoma & The Most Vital Components

By Rob Sutter


GEN published an article that talked about a serious condition by the name of glioblastoma. Many people may be familiar with the term but those who are not should know that this is the most prevalent and aggressive type of brain cancer seen. It is also the one that accounts for about 15% of tumors seen in adults. It's apparent that, with so many different studies being done with this condition serving as the focus, certain aspects will be focused on more than others in the long term.

Before looking into the matter of research, though, it's worth noting what exactly makes glioblastoma tumors as severe as they seem to be. The report spoke about this in detail, saying that they possess many different types of cells, stem cells included amongst them. These are able to perpetuate cell growth and maintenance, which plays into the ongoing nature of this serious condition. This is one of the many reasons why it has the focus of various organizations on the matter, Voices against Brain Cancer included.

The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital at McGill University put together a study that would focus on the in vivo mouse model. Basically, it would be utilized in order to see the activity of human GBM-derived brain tumor initiating cells in the body. Two proteins in particular - FOXG1 and TLE - were given quite a bit of focus in addition to the various genes and their shifts as well. What are the regulators that are tied to this condition which has impacted so many people, one would have to wonder?

I believe that it is important to look at certain methods in the name of research, seeing as how these cells can work to tremendous degrees. In addition, they may not be fully eradicated if typical surgery followed by chemo or radiation therapy is followed through with, meaning that the need to find more effective methods is strong. The researchers mentioned before made the claim that FOXG1 and TLE can come together. This would be done for the sake of causing tumor activity to decrease, if not stop completely.

With such progress possessing the potential to come to the surface, I can only hope that glioblastoma studies will be helped in the long term. There are many stories to take into account and the fact that many of them are circulating on the Internet is a point that is hard to overlook. Certain components will be looked into more than others but can they work with therapies to come? From what I have seen, the element of possibility is one that is very much apparent.




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