Pediatric Brain Tumors Linked to Stem Cells

Scientists have discovered that disabling a gene in mice that is linked to a common pediatric tumor disorder, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), caused stem cells from one part of the brain to proliferate rapidly. However, the same genetic deficit had no effect on stem cells from a different region of the brain. The results can be explained by differences in the way stem cells from these regions of the brain respond to cancer-causing genetic changes. For more information, click here to read the full release.