The Catalyst Issue 25 | September 2016 | Page 16

SOLVING A FAMILY MYSTERY Researchers discover that a gene mutation is a common link among family members diagnosed with the same form of brain cancer, creating a foundation for additional investigation to uncover the development of familial glioblastoma lioblastoma is a ruthless disease, and it’s very rare to find multiple family members stricken by it. The Dela Rosa family’s experience—three of them diagnosed with glioblastoma— served as the catalyst for neurooncologist Ekokobe Fonkem, DO, a neuro-oncologist at the Neuroscience Institute at Baylor Scott & White Health - Central Texas, to study why. The research team’s findings have paved the way for additional research to answer that ultimate question, which will take time. Through DNA analysis, Dr. Fonkem and his team of researchers have found that a mutation G 16 THE CATALYST Fall 16 | sw.org of the HRAS gene was present in these family members, an important connection that may eventually help diagnose and treat patients afflicted by the lethal disease earlier, resulting in better outcomes. It’s the most common type of brain cancer, but medical science still knows little about it. Part of what’s known is that glioblastoma is very difficult to treat, and it affects men slightly more than women. Three in 100,000 people are diagnosed with it. “Typically, the treatment is surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Recurrence is common,” says Dr. Fonkem. “Even with the most aggressive treatment, the median survival time is less than 15 months.” Erxi Wu, PhD, the new director of the Tumor Research Center at the Neuroscience Institute, says. “This institute is dedicated to generating knowledge and promoting innovative research in the field of neuroscience, so we need to fully understand the biology of glioblastoma.” When Dr. Fonkem approached him to work together to study the disease, Dr. Wu accepted the task immediately. Brain cancer in general is a research priority within the Neuroscience Institute, because of its devastating effects. “When people get a brain