Experimental targeted therapy shows early promise against
medulloblastomas – a type of childhood brain cancer CHICAGO,
June 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Researchers from St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium
(PBTC) presented today at the American Society of Clinical
Oncology the findings of a pediatric brain tumor study using an
experimental drug that targets the underlying genetic makeup of
the tumor. The research focused on a new way to attack the
tumors by blocking the Hedgehog pathway that is linked to
approximately 20 percent of medulloblastomas. The study is the
first to report that the drug can be safely administered to
children. The study also suggested that the drug is showing
early signs of efficacy in this patient population, with some
children still on treatment almost a year with no progression of
disease. All the children on this study had medulloblastomas
that persisted or returned despite standard treatment with
radiation and chemotherapy. Recurrent medullobl