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Neuro-oncology

Genetic variation in pediatric and adult brain tumors

Two new studies suggest that pediatric medulloblastomas and high-grade gliomas are genetically different from the same tumors in adults. Age-dependent gene expression might affect tumor biology; therefore, therapies for adult medulloblastomas or gliomas might not produce the same clinical outcomes in pediatric patients, and vice versa.

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Correspondence to Alba A. Brandes.

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A. A. Brandes has acted as a consultant for Bristol-Myers Squibb, OncoMethylome Sciences, Roche and Schering-Plough. She has also received honoraria for lectures from GlaxoSmithKline, Roche and Schering-Plough. E. Franceschi declares no competing interests.

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Brandes, A., Franceschi, E. Genetic variation in pediatric and adult brain tumors. Nat Rev Neurol 6, 653–654 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2010.176

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