Authors:
Gottardo NG, Hansford JR, McGlade JP, Alvaro F, Ashley DM, Bailey S, … Clay M, … Dallas PB, … Endersby R, … Hii HL, … Kotecha RS, … Schoep T, et al.
Authors notes:
Acta Neuropathologica. 2013:1-13
Keywords:
Medulloblastoma, brain tumours, children, treatment, improve outcomes, Medulloblastoma Down Under 2013
Abstract:
Medulloblastoma is curable in approximately 70 % of patients. Over the past decade, progress in improving survival using conventional therapies has stalled, resulting in reduced quality of life due to treatment-related side effects, which are a major concern in survivors.
The vast amount of genomic and molecular data generated over the last 5-10 years encourages optimism that improved risk stratification and new molecular targets will improve outcomes.
It is now clear that medulloblastoma is not a single-disease entity, but instead consists of at least four distinct molecular subgroups: WNT/Wingless, Sonic Hedgehog, Group 3, and Group 4.
The Medulloblastoma Down Under 2013 meeting, which convened at Bunker Bay, Australia, brought together 50 leading clinicians and scientists.
The 2-day agenda included focused sessions on pathology and molecular stratification, genomics and mouse models, high-throughput drug screening, and clinical trial design.
The meeting established a global action plan to translate novel biologic insights and drug targeting into treatment regimens to improve outcomes.
Medulloblastoma Down Under 2013 was an effective forum for meaningful discussion, which resulted in enhancing international collaborative clinical and translational research of this rare disease.
This template could be applied to other fields to devise global action plans addressing all aspects of a disease, from improved disease classification, treatment stratification, and drug targeting to superior treatment regimens to be assessed in cooperative international clinical trials.