Brain Tumour Gene Link Found
21 February 2008 - Cancer Research UK-funded scientists at The Institute have discovered a mutation in a DNA repair gene which may increase the risk of developing meningioma, a rare type of brain tumour.
The researchers explored 136 DNA repair genes before they homed in on a mutation in the gene BRIP1 – a gene also associated with increased breast cancer risk. This mutation may account for 16 per cent of meningiomas.
More than 7,500 people are diagnosed with malignant or benign brain tumours in the UK each year. The vast majority of meningiomas are benign. Although they grow slowly, meningiomas do not respond well to chemotherapy and cannot always be safely removed by surgery.
Lead researcher, Professor Richard Houlston, head of The Institute’s Molecular and Population Genetics Team, commented: "Using a large sample, we have identified a new region associated with meningioma risk. However, further investigation into the functions of BRIP1, could shed more light on the relationship between the gene and brain tumour growth."
"Currently, the only sure way to diagnose many brain tumours is by biopsy. Research like ours, which examines gene changes may offer the hope of non-invasive ways to diagnose the disease and new tailored treatments for brain cancer patients."
Professor Richard Houlston leads the Molecular and Population Genetics Team in The Institute's Section of Cancer Genetics, which aims to identify genetic factors that increase the chance of cancer occurring.
