Novel therapeutic approach for malignant pediatric brain tumor

A study led by the Medical University of Vienna shows a sustained survival benefit of the so called antiangiogenic therapy at recurrence of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children and adolescents. The therapy starves the cancer by interfering mainly with the cancer microenvironment. Until now, no curative treatment option has been available for these patients. The study has now been published in the prestigious journal JAMA Oncology. Medulloblastomas are the most common malignant brain tumors in children and adolescents and account for about 20 percent of all brain tumors in children. In about a quarter of cases, the tumor recurs (comes back) despite therapy with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. For patients with previously irradiated recurrent medulloblastoma, there have been no curative treatment options.