1. Viruses and human brain tumors: cytomegalovirus enters the fray.
- Author
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Hawkins, Cynthia and Croul, Sidney
- Subjects
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MEDULLOBLASTOMA , *BRAIN tumors , *MORTALITY , *ENDOCRINOLOGY , *CELL lines , *CYTOMEGALOVIRUSES , *ANIMAL experimentation , *COMPARATIVE studies , *GLIOMAS , *RESEARCH methodology , *MEDICAL cooperation , *RESEARCH , *RESEARCH funding , *EVALUATION research - Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Overall survival rates have improved in recent years as a result of risk-stratified treatment regimens. However, medulloblastoma remains associated with substantial mortality, and survivors often experience debilitating neurological, endocrinological, and social sequelae as a result of treatment. Targeted and less toxic therapeutic strategies are therefore needed. In this issue of the JCI, Baryawno et al. report their findings that a large percentage of primary medulloblastomas and medulloblastoma cell lines are infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and suggest that targeting this virus could provide a new way to treat individuals with medulloblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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