A gene study looks at two forms of a protein in brain tumors
Original title: Structural insights and functional implications of ENTPD5 splice variants in low-grade adult type diffuse gliomas and glioblastoma.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was done on cells in a lab, not in people. It is a very early step.
This was lab and computer work on stored tumor samples, not a treatment.
The short version
Scientists used stored tumor gene data to study how one protein changes in glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells, the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4 describing how the tumor is expected to behave. See the glossary.
What was studied. Researchers looked at gene data from brain tumors held in a public database. The tumors were oligodendrogliomas and glioblastomas. They studied different forms of a gene called ENTPD5.
What they found. Tumors used one of two different gene endings, called exon 17 or exon 19. Tumors with exon 17 grew more slowly but adapted more. Tumors with exon 19 grew fast. The difference came from the loss of one of five working parts of the protein.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: This may help scientists understand how glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells, the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4 describing how the tumor is expected to behave. See the glossary cells grow and adapt. It could point to targets for drugs that researchers might try to build later.
What it doesn't mean: This was computer and lab work on stored tumor samples. No person was treated, and nothing was tested in people or animals. It is not a new drug, and it is not a cure. Any care that comes from this idea would be many years away, if it comes at all.
Source: PubMed, September 25, 2026 · Read the original
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