Nervous system cells 'can originate brain tumours'

A new study has discovered that nervous system cells may be where brain tumours originate.

Inder Verma, a professor in the Salk Institute for Biological Studies Laboratory of Genetics and the Irwin and Joan Jacobs Chair in Exemplary Life Science, explained the study backs up the long-held theory that glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) - which is the most aggressive type of primary brain tumour - begins in glial cells that make up supportive tissue in the brain or in neural stem cells.

"One of the reasons for the lack of clinical advances in GBMs has been the insufficient understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which these tumors originate and progress," it was noted by the specialist.

Lead author Dinorah Friedmann-Morvinski, a postdoctoral researcher in the Laboratory of Genetics, said the research suggests that when two critical genes - NF-1 and p53 - are disabled, mature, differentiated cells then acquire the capacity to reprogramme to a neuroprogenitor cell-like state.

According to a recent study conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, potential new cancer drug targets could be offered thanks to research showing how cancer cells break free from tumours.

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