New Brain Tumor gene identified for Meningiomas

The causes of brain tumors has been difficult to discern in most cases. Umeå researchers have previously a hereditary predisposition for brain tumors have been identified, but now, in an international cooperation, they also have discovered a genetic variation that the risk of a certain type of brain tumor increases, meningiomas.

Approximately 1 400 people a year are affected by tumors of the brain in Sweden and twenty percent of those who are afflicted with Meningioma. The tumor itself is usually benign, but it can cause serious symptoms as a result of its location and because it sometimes malignant. It stems from the meninges and is more common among women.

The study included samples out of a total of 1 633 patients with meningiomas in Sweden, Germany, England, and Denmark. The results were published 31 July in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics.

The Gene Variant is close to MLLT10 on chromosome 10, a gene known to be involved in hematologic tumors. This gene has not previously been linked to increased risk of tumors.

--With more research we will be able to the function of these variants investigations and whether they are with environmental factors, such as ionizing radiation, correlate as the only environmental factor previously known for meningiomas higher doses of ionizing radiation, says Beatrice Melin.

Co-authors of the study are researchers at the University of Umeå; Beatrice Melin, Ulrika Andersson, Roger Henriksson, Thomas Brännström.

Sources: Expertanswer, AlphaGalileo Foundation.