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A Protocol for Rapid Post-mortem Cell Culture of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Published on: March 7, 2017
Diffuse brainstem gliomas in children: should we or shouldn't we biopsy?
P A Leach1, E J Estlin, D J Coope
1Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK. paulleach@live.co.uk
British Journal of Neurosurgery
|November 19, 2008
Summary
Biopsying pediatric diffuse pontine gliomas is debated. While risky, tumor genetics knowledge may enable targeted therapies, necessitating biopsies for diagnosis and treatment selection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neuro-oncology
- Neurosurgery
- Cancer genetics
Background:
- Diffuse pontine gliomas (DPGs) in children have a poor prognosis.
- The necessity of biopsy for DPGs is controversial due to risks versus benefits.
- Advances in understanding tumor biology and genetics are emerging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the current role and future necessity of biopsy for pediatric diffuse pontine gliomas.
- To discuss the implications of advances in tumor biology and genetics on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature over the past 30 years.
- Analysis of the risks and benefits of biopsy in the context of DPG treatment.
- Discussion of the role of histological and genetic diagnosis in developing targeted therapies.
Main Results:
- Historically, biopsy has been considered high-risk with limited clinical benefit for DPGs.
- Emerging knowledge of DPG biology and genetics offers potential for personalized treatments.
- Histological diagnosis is crucial for clinical trials and identifying tumors responsive to novel therapies.
Conclusions:
- Despite historical concerns, there is an increasing need for biopsy in pediatric diffuse pontine gliomas.
- Biopsy facilitates crucial histological diagnosis for research and clinical trials.
- Future targeted therapies for DPGs will likely depend on biopsy-derived genetic information.
