Tailoring Medulloblastoma Treatment Through Genomics: Making a Change, One Subgroup at a Time

Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet. 2017 Aug 31:18:143-166. doi: 10.1146/annurev-genom-091416-035434. Epub 2017 May 5.

Abstract

After more than a decade of genomic studies in medulloblastoma, the time has come to capitalize on the knowledge gained and use it to directly improve patient care. Although metastatic and relapsed disease remain poorly understood, much has changed in how we define medulloblastoma, and it has become evident that with conventional therapies, specific groups of patients are currently under- or overtreated. In this review, we summarize the latest insights into medulloblastoma biology, focusing on how genomics is affecting patient stratification, informing preclinical studies of targeted therapies, and shaping the new generation of clinical trials.

Keywords: brain tumors; cerebellum development; clinical trials; medulloblastoma; treatment.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / genetics
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Genomics*
  • Humans
  • Medulloblastoma / genetics
  • Medulloblastoma / therapy*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*