Growth Factor Receptors as Targets for Therapy in Pediatric Brain Tumors

Abstract

Growth factor receptors (GFRs) have been described as overexpressed in several types of brain tumors. Overexpression of these transmembrane proteins is considered to be an important part of tumorigenesis. Genetic as well as epigenetic modulation of the receptors have to be considered when trying to understand the role of GFRs in tumors or as targets for tumor therapy. GFR function can be modulated by membrane components (e.g. gangliosides) or by the change in receptor glycosylation. These types of changes and the occurrence of the expression of mutated receptor expressed in tumor cell can result in altered signaling. In this review, we have focused on GFRs, their expression and mutations in brain tumors. Recently the correlation between GFR expression and patient outcome has suggested that these tyrosine kinases and their signaling might play a decisive role in the course of patients with brain tumors. The importance of GFRs as possible targets for brain tumor therapy is also discussed.