Krembil Neuroscience Centre (KNC)

New Research Identifies Potential Mechanisms of Brain Tumor Metastasis

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Researchers at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, University Health Network have identified some potential mechanisms that mediate the spread of brain tumors in the central nervous system. Studying medulloblastoma, the most common brain tumour in children, researchers have begun to reproduce the process by which this cancer spreads beyond the original (primary) site to secondary sites in the central nervous system.

“The spread of medulloblastoma has devastating consequences, including significantly increased mortality and major cognitive deficits among those children who do survive,” said Dr. Sidney Croul, Head of Neuropathology at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre. “Understanding this process of spread, or metastasis, is critical to our ability both to diagnose and treat earlier and to develop novel therapies.”

Leptomeningeal dissemination is the spread of the primary tumour to the leptomeninges (secondary sites). Identification of the molecules that mediate leptomeningeal dissemination may improve the ability to predict which patients are at risk for metastasis at an earlier and more treatable stage of the disease. Identification of the pathways activated by leptomeningeal dissemination may inform the development of more effective therapies.

“The findings from our recent study help us move toward our goal of improving the chance for survival and quality of life of children with medulloblastoma,” said Dr. Croul. “Every positive study takes us one step closer.”

Dr. Croul is a member of the Brain Tumour Research Centre (BTRC) at the Hospital for Sick Children and University Health Network. The full study is published in the November issue of Laboratory Investigation.

About Krembil Neuroscience Centre
The Krembil Neuroscience Centre (KNC), located at Toronto Western Hospital, is home to one of the largest combined clinical and research neurological facilities in North America. Since opening in 2001, KNC has been recognized as a world leader through its research achievements, education and exemplary patient care. The centre focuses on the advancement, detection and treatment of neurological diseases and specializes in movement disorders, dementias, stroke, Spine cord injury, blinding eye diseases, epilepsy and cancer-related conditions
For more information please visit www.krembil.com

About University Health Network
University Health Network consists of Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals. The scope of research and complexity of cases at University Health Network has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. It has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, and genomic medicine. University Health Network is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
For more information please visit www.uhn.ca

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For more information, please contact:
Nadia Daniell-Colarossi
Krembil Neuroscience Centre
Toronto Western Hospital
Tel: 416-603-5294
nadia.daniell-colarossi@uhn.on.ca

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