GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH Cracking the code of childhood cancer
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Tumors of the brain and spinal cord account for 20-25% of childhood cancer, affecting about 1 in 2,500 children. Approximately 40% of all brain tumors in children are gliomas and although advances in treatment have led to improved survival in some cases, those children with high-grade gliomas invariably have a poor outcome.
Dr. Chris Jones and his team at the Institute of Cancer Research are focused on understanding the causes of childhood cancers, including glioma. The team uses modern scientific techniques to examine tumor specimens and has discovered a number of genes that are associated with the development of childhood cancers.
"The goal of our work is to identify genetic changes that are specific to childhood tumors which can then be used to classify tumors, guide therapy choices, assess response to treatment and develop novel therapies", says Dr. Jones.
One Girl's Story
Tarlie, aged 19, was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma (a form of brain cancer) when she was just 14 years old.
She was treated at a number of hospitals including the Royal Marsden, the ICR’s partner organization. Tarlie has recovered well although she does suffer from tiredness and some memory loss as a result of living with glioma and its treatment. She continues to have regular check ups and has to take hormones to treat an underactive thyroid that resulted from the tumor treatment.
Throughout her illness Tarlie has remained positive and wants to use her experience to help other young people with cancer: "I knew very little about glioma before I was diagnosed and I want to raise awareness to help other teenagers understand cancer", she says.
ICR scientists, such as Dr. Chris Jones, are working to improve the outlook for children and teenagers like Tarlie by studying glioma and other childhood cancers. This work will hopefully identify potential targets which can be used to develop new drugs to treat young people in the future.
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