Molecular biological studies have created a new understanding of medulloblastomas, revealing key cell signaling pathways that promote tumor growth. These studies have identified molecular markers that can serve as prognostic indicators and which will provide therapeutic targets in the very near future. In contrast to conventional histological techniques, molecular biological methods are designed to detect highly unstable molecules degraded by conventional tissue collection and fixation protocols. Consequently, a new approach to tissue collection is required for molecular analysis as we enter the next era of brain tumor therapy.

Keywords:
Medulloblastoma, Sonic hedgehog, Patched, Wnt, APC, Neurotrophin, Risk stratification
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© 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
2004
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