The MRI represents a glioblastoma (center white mass) before treatment with the drug erlotinib (A) and after (B). (Credit: UC San Diego School of Medicine)
According to Science Daily, Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine identified a gene mutation which causes at least one form of glioblastoma (GMB), a form of malignant brain tumor. Furthering this discovery, researchers found two drugs which have already been utilized in prolonging the lives of cancer diseased mice with similar forms of GMB. With a diagnosis rate of nine thousand per year in the United States and a median survival rate of fourteen months, this discovery gives new hope to the victims of this specific illness. Previously, doctors were unable to identify the mutation which caused the (GMB) and this hampered their ability to treat the patient specifically for their type of (GMB). Now that the form of tumor and mutation are identified, with more research, it will be much easier to identify and initiate a treatment plan for each specific patient.
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