This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rossi, A. Articles by Giordano, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rossi, A. Articles by Giordano, A. Related Collections Cellular Pathobiology Cellular Pathobiology: Proliferation, Senescence, and Death Tumor Biology: Invasion and Metastasis Therapeutics and Targets: Pharmacology and Toxicology

Medulloblastoma: From Molecular Pathology to Therapy

Authors' Affiliations: ¹ Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology and ² Center for Neurovirology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ³ Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

Requests for reprints: Antonio Giordano, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, BioLife Science Building, Suite 333, 1900 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Phone: 215-204-9520; Fax 215-204-9522; E-mail: giordano{at}temple.edu.

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant tumor of central nervous system in children. Patients affected by medulloblastoma may be categorized as high-risk and standard-risk patients, based on the clinical criteria and histologic features of the disease. Currently, multimodality treatment, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy is considered as the most effective strategy against these malignant cerebellar tumors of the childhood. Despite the potential poor outcomes of these lesions, the 5-year survival stands, at present, at 70% to 80% for standard-risk patients, whereas high-risk patients have a 5-year survival of 55% to 76%. Attempts to further reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with medulloblastoma have been restricted by the toxicity of conventional treatments and the infiltrative nature of the disease. Over the past decade, new discoveries in molecular biology have revealed new insights in signaling pathways regulating medulloblastoma tumor formation. Recent advances in the molecular biology of medulloblastoma indicate that the classification of these embryonal tumors, solely based on histology and clinical criteria, may not be adequate enough. Better understanding of the growth control mechanisms involved in the development and progression of medulloblastoma will allow a better classification, leading to the improvement of the existing therapies, as well as to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Provencal, D. Labbe, R. Veitch, D. Boivin, G.-E. Rivard, H. Sartelet, Y. Robitaille, D. Gingras, and R. Beliveau c-Met activation in medulloblastoma induces tissue factor expression and activity: effects on cell migration Carcinogenesis, July 1, 2009; 30(7): 1089 - 1096. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Labbe, M. Provencal, S. Lamy, D. Boivin, D. Gingras, and R. Beliveau The Flavonols Quercetin, Kaempferol, and Myricetin Inhibit Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Induced Medulloblastoma Cell Migration J. Nutr., April 1, 2009; 139(4): 646 - 652. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]