Sarah Rush, M.D., University of Denver
Two-year funding, 2010-2011
Juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas (JPA) are common tumors of childhood. Despite the high incidence, the biological factors that influence outcomes for these children remain poorly understood. Based on our preliminary data, IMP3 represents a highly specific prognostic marker for JPA allowing for improved prediction of outcome. The aim of the proposed study is to validate IMP3 as a potential prognostic marker in JPA and pilomyxoid astrocytoma in an expanded cohort of patient samples. The samples will also be screened for the presence of BRAF mutations which are thought to be the most common mutations leading to sporadic pilocytic astrocytoma formation. Together, this data will offer the opportunity to correlate the clinical outcomes with candidate biological aberrations and also help to further characterize the nature of these tumors. The information will allow for the development of prospective prognostic screening to improve therapy and potentially improved outcomes for these children.