New targets identified for treating glioblastoma through genetic screen

· News-Medical

A team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has uncovered new targets that could be the key to effectively treating glioblastoma, a lethal type of brain cancer. These targets were identified through a screen for genetic vulnerabilities in patient-derived cancer stem cells that represent the variability found in tumors.

Glioblastoma is the most common type of brain cancer in adults. It is also the most challenging to treat due to the resistance of glioblastoma cancer stem cells, from which tumors grow, to therapy. Cancer stem cells that survive after a tumor is treated go on to form new tumors that do not respond to further treatment.

This research was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Source:

University of Toronto

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