The first round up of the new year begins with an older story that we haven’t previously reported on Glioblastoma Study Highlights Sex Differences in Brain Cancer – this could mean that in the future glioblastoma treatment might need to be delivered in a sex-specific manner.

Ground-breaking research by the University of Birmingham has discovered a new technique to assess the aggressiveness of childhood brain tumours. The study will allow clinicians to give more personalized treatments for childhood brain cancers, which currently account for one third of all childhood cancer deaths in the UK.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are fighting brain cancer by growing mini-brains these pea-sized organoids grown from stem cells recreate the  features of full-scale brains. The mini-brains are similar enough to real brains that they can be used for testing out medical treatments to see how a full-sized brain would respond.

Widely reported this week is news that Artificial Intelligence (AI) matches humans at diagnosing brain cancer from tumour biopsy images, and in further AI news click on this link to read how A.I. Comes to the Operating Room

Plenty of news specifically related to Glioblastoma ( GBM) this week; One-Third of Glioblastomas Had Molecular Changes at Recurrence, Immuno-oncology combo targeting rogue enzyme in glioblastoma extends survival in mice, Tackling Glioblastomas: Defeating a Deadly Foe & new treatment strategy may thwart deadly brain tumours

Cancer cells go to great lengths to sustain their growth, survival, and spread. Now scientists believe they have uncovered yet another way in which cancer cells may support their own uncontrolled growth; Brain Cancer Cells Hijack Gene “On Switches” to Drive Tumour Growth

By peering into the genome of brain tumour researchers at Osaka University have developed a computer method that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and machine learning to rapidly forecast genetic mutations in glioma tumours, which occur in the brain or spine. The work may help glioma patients to receive more suitable treatment faster, giving better outcomes.

Finally, some home-grown research conducted by great friends of Brain Tumour Research Dr Kathreena Kurian, Associate Professor in Brain Tumour Research at the University of Bristol, who led the research, and co – author Professor Kevin Prise, Professor of Radiation Biology from the CCRCB at Queen's University Belfast; New brain tumour research could improve patient diagnosis, treatment options

Related Reading:

• Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
• How is a brain tumour diagnosed?
• Treatments for Brain Tumours

If you found this story interesting or helpful, sign up to our weekly e-news and keep up to date with all the latest from Brain Tumour Research.