[Reliability of molecular tumour markers in children with medulloblastoma--an example from clinical practice]

During the 1960s less than five percent of the children suffering from cancer could be cured. Today we are able to cure approximately three quarters. It is research in molecular biology elucidating the origin of cancer at the level of cells, genes and molecules that has accounted for this success. Research results include, for example, the identification of molecular markers of leukaemia that are able to predict the intensity of therapy necessary for maximum benefit. Furthermore, molecular markers have been identified for paediatric brain tumours which raise the hope for more individualized and targeted therapy.