Due to rapid development of next generation sequencing techniques, molecular-genetic analysis has now become an integral part of the modern surgical neuropathology. Modern diagnosis of CNS tumors typically combines the results from histologic and immunohistochemical examinations of microscopic slides with the key DNA/RNA genetic changes identified in the molecular pathology testing. This has led to a substantial reclassification of various brain and spinal cord tumors, including the introduction of new neoplastic entities and removal of others.
Involvement of key tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in brain tumor development has been known for decades, but recent studies have highlighted many unexpected and novel mutations occurring in adult and pediatric brain tumors. These emerging discoveries further emphasize the importance of identifying state-of-the-art molecular signatures for diagnosing CNS malignancy and development of novel targeted therapies. In particular, understanding the molecular landscapes of pediatric high-grade astrocytic tumors and embryonal tumors, capitalizing immunotherapy, which may have the power to revolutionize brain tumor treatment, are just a few of the many challenges that this field is currently facing.
In this Research Topic, we intend to collate key research findings in the field of molecular diagnosis of CNS tumors and invite contributions in form of Original Research articles, Reviews, Case Reports and Clinical Trials relating to any of the following:
1) Molecular characterization of CNS tumors and their transit from origin to progression,
2) Identification of biomarkers for detection of CNS tumors at early stages and their response to treatment,
3) Identification of novel drug targets and therapies for the treatment of CNS tumors.
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Due to rapid development of next generation sequencing techniques, molecular-genetic analysis has now become an integral part of the modern surgical neuropathology. Modern diagnosis of CNS tumors typically combines the results from histologic and immunohistochemical examinations of microscopic slides with the key DNA/RNA genetic changes identified in the molecular pathology testing. This has led to a substantial reclassification of various brain and spinal cord tumors, including the introduction of new neoplastic entities and removal of others.
Involvement of key tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in brain tumor development has been known for decades, but recent studies have highlighted many unexpected and novel mutations occurring in adult and pediatric brain tumors. These emerging discoveries further emphasize the importance of identifying state-of-the-art molecular signatures for diagnosing CNS malignancy and development of novel targeted therapies. In particular, understanding the molecular landscapes of pediatric high-grade astrocytic tumors and embryonal tumors, capitalizing immunotherapy, which may have the power to revolutionize brain tumor treatment, are just a few of the many challenges that this field is currently facing.
In this Research Topic, we intend to collate key research findings in the field of molecular diagnosis of CNS tumors and invite contributions in form of Original Research articles, Reviews, Case Reports and Clinical Trials relating to any of the following:
1) Molecular characterization of CNS tumors and their transit from origin to progression,
2) Identification of biomarkers for detection of CNS tumors at early stages and their response to treatment,
3) Identification of novel drug targets and therapies for the treatment of CNS tumors.
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.