| Project title | CNS Tumours in Children: A Potential Role for the Folate Metabolic Pathway |
|---|---|
Grant Amount | $40,000 |
Institution | Children’s Cancer Institute |
Investigator Team | Principal investigator Dr. Lesley Ashton |
Grant Type | Fellowship |
Years | 2007 – 2008 |
Folate plays an important role in cell function, division and differentiation and is essential during periods of rapid tissue growth such as in early foetal development. Variation in genes responsible for folate metabolism has been implicated in several adult cancers and childhood leukaemia. However, few studies have investigated the role of folate genes in brain tumours.
This project is based on strong preliminary evidence demonstrating that variations in two folate genes modulate the risk of childhood brain cancers. The study will investigate these and other variations in genes of the folate pathway in 400 children diagnosed with CNS tumours.
“This study will provide an opportunity to establish whether specific gene variations in genes of the folate pathway are associated with the risk of childhood CNS tumours.”
Dr. Lesley Ashton
Progress: Final report (2008)
Funding from the Cure for Life Foundation was instrumental in providing support f to investigate associations between gene variations in the folate pathway and the risk of CNS tumours during childhood.
These investigations have shown that polymorphisms in multiple genes of the folate pathway are associated with an increased risk of childhood CNS tumours, particularly embryonal tumours.