Using AI to Better Understand and Predict Brain Tumour Growth
Fast facts
- Title: TET-associated de-methylation-based tumour grading of IDH mutant gliomas
- Lead Researcher: Dr Youri Hoogstrate
- Where: Erasmus Medical Center, Netherlands
- When: February 2025 – January 2027
- Cost: £150,000 over 2 years
- Research type: Glioma, Adult, High grade, Low grade
- Grant round: Expanding Theories
IDH-mutated gliomas are a common type of brain tumour with no current cure. IDH or isocitrate dehydrogenases are a group of enzymes that are important in cell metabolism (how cells get their energy). They play an important role in various biological processes in the body.
Mutations in the DNA that code for IDH occur in 80% of Grade 2 and 3 gliomas [1]. Further study of these tumours are necessary for future targeted treatments and therapies to improve outcomes for patients.
What is it?
Dr. Youri Hoogstrate’s research at Erasmus Medical Centre has found that as IDH-mutated tumours progress, they lose specific chemical tags on their DNA. This loss occurs in patterns which can be used to more accurately predict a patient’s prognosis compared with traditional tumour grading methods using a microscope.
In this project, Dr Hoogstrate and his team aim to develop a computer program that uses these patterns to predict tumour growth and patient survival. They also aim to discover new patterns that could improve their predictions and even identify new approaches for treatments. Their laboratory experiments will investigate the role of specific proteins involved in these patterns. This work could improve how we grade, predict, and treat IDH-mutated gliomas, offering hope for better outcomes.
Why is it important?
This research will help develop new and targeted treatments to help people diagnosed with IDH-mutated gliomas, along with supporting less invasive and more accurate methods to predict a patient’s prognosis.
Dr Youri Hoogstrate
This work could help to more accurately classify these tumours and also predict how they might behave in the future, which could lead to better treatment decisions.
References
- 1. Han, S., Liu, Y., Cai, S.J. et al. IDH mutation in glioma: molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Br J Cancer 122, 1580–1589 (2020) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-020-0814-x
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In this section
Dr Youri Hoogstrate
Dr Youri Hoogstrate is an Assistant Professor of Bioinformatics at Erasmus Medical Center. His current work focuses on the use of computer programs in IDH-mutated gliomas, to grade tumours and better inform patient treatment. He won the Best Publication of 2023 Award at his institution for his work studying IDH-mutations.