New Computational Approach Finds Gene That Drives Aggressive Brain Cancer

According to a new study published in the journal Cell, researchers from Columbia University Medical Center found that by using an innovative algorithm that analyzes gene regulatory and signaling networks, the loss of a gene called KLHL9 is the driving force behind the most aggressive form of glioblastoma. The research team demonstrated in mice transplants that these tumors can be suppressed by reintroducing the KLHL9 protein, offering a possible strategy for treatment. Researchers used the same approach to identify mutations and heritable variants that have also been linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease — suggesting that the algorithm, combined with researchers’ sophisticated computer models of cellular regulation, is a powerful method for identifying genetic drivers of a wide range of diseases. “This algorithm adds a new dimension to our ability to identify the genetic cause of complex disease. When combined with other tools that our lab has developed, it will help identify many more genes that hold potential as genetic biomarkers of disease progression and targets for treatment,” said the study’s lead author. To read more about this study, click here.