What is the current role of genetics in the treatment of brain cancer?

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HenryFriedmanMD (Physician - Neuro-Oncology (Verified) ) - 07 / 03 / 2012

The current role for genetic analysis of brain tumors as a means of achieving a more precise therapeutic intervention is still in its infancy. There are a number of genetic studies that clearly have a role such as the methylation status of the promoter of the MGMT gene which is prognostic but not predictive for the role of temozolomide in the treatment of malignant glioma. Furthermore, other genetic markers such as the absence of 1p19q can predict for sensitivity to temozolomide. Additional markers such as IDH1 and IDH2 are prognostic for a better outcome with the use of any intervention. However the Holy Grail we are all searching for is to use individualized tumor genome analysis to more rationally choose therapeutic strategies which will produce better outcomes in our patients. This has yet to be achieved and although has proven to be beneficial in other tumors, the extraordinary breadth of molecular aberrations seen in the glioblastoma multiforme may make this a very difficult challenge. Nevertheless it is work that must be conducted if we are going to achieve our goal of personalized medicine in the treatment of patients with brain tumors.
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