Targeting BRAF V600E and Autophagy in Pediatric Brain Tumors
Abstract
Despite advancement in treatment for childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors, they remain the leading cause of death in pediatric oncology. One potential therapeutic intervention is targeting the autophagic pathway, a complex catabolic process that contributes to tumor cell survival. Recent data has shown BRAFV600E mutations in a range of these tumors and my own research finds that these tumors show a level of autophagy-dependence not seen in BRAFWT tumors. There is also evidence that autophagy inhibition is a potential mechanism in preventing or reversing resistance to direct inhibition against activated BRAFV600E. The current study examined the interaction of the BRAFV600E mutation and autophagy in brain tumors. I hypothesized that BRAFV600E identifies tumors that will respond to combination therapy with autophagy inhibition with enhanced tumor cell death, establishing a basis for future rational clinical trial design for pediatric brain tumor patients harboring the mutation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1000387
Entities
People
- Jean M. Levy
Organizations
- Regents of the University of Colorado