Read the latest news about scientific breakthroughs, clinical findings and special events benefiting neurofibromatosis research.
NF Center Researchers Awarded Patent for NF1 Tumor Treatment
Based on groundbreaking work by Dr. Corina Anastasaki demonstrating that an anti-seizure medication, called lamotrigine, blocks neurofibroma and optic glioma growth in Nf1 mouse models, a patent was awarded to Washington University. This new patent application, entitled “methods of treating cancer using neuronal activity inhibiting agents” (18/069,317) provides a paradigm shift in the management of […]
New Study Reveals Critical Role for T Cells in Brain Cancer
Children with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk of developing brain tumors. Prior work in the laboratory of NF Center director, David H. Gutmann, MD, PhD, demonstrated that these childhood brain tumors, called gliomas, are infiltrated by immune system cells, including T cells. While these immune cells are important for tumor growth, it […]
Recent Awarded Grants
Gorkem Oztosun, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Hirbe Laboratory, was awarded a grant through NF Network to study how the extra copy of Chromosome 8 in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST) affects biology of the tumor cells and response to certain therapies. Stacey Chamberlain, RN, BSN and Sanita Burgic, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C were […]
New Study Underscores the Need for Adolescent/Young Adult Transition of Care Programs
Dr. Tina Tarnawsky, working with colleagues in the Institute of Informatics, Data Science, and Bioinformatics, used electronic health care records to determine the age and cause of death of adults with NF1. In her study with Drs. Aditi Gupta, she found an early death peak in the fourth decade of life largely due to cancer. […]
Researchers Identify a Link Between the Gut Microbiota and Brain Tumors
Jit Chatterjee, PhD, a senior researcher in the laboratory of Dr. David Gutmann, recently found that bacteria in the intestines are important for brain tumor development and progression in mouse models of NF1. In collaboration with Megan Baldridge, MD, PhD, he showed that mice harboring optic gliomas treated with specific antibiotics had reduced tumor growth. […]