Publications by authors named "P Dirks"

Glioblastoma is an incurable brain malignancy. By the time of clinical diagnosis, these tumours exhibit a degree of genetic and cellular heterogeneity that provides few clues to the mechanisms that initiate and drive gliomagenesis. Here, to explore the early steps in gliomagenesis, we utilized conditional gene deletion and lineage tracing in tumour mouse models, coupled with serial magnetic resonance imaging, to initiate and then closely track tumour formation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Gliomas are a major cause of cancer-related death among children, adolescents, and young adults (age 0-40 years). Primary mismatch repair deficiency (MMRD) is a pan-cancer mechanism with unique biology and therapeutic opportunities. We aimed to determine the extent and impact of primary MMRD in gliomas among children, adolescents, and young adults.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * This study aimed to assess the detectability of circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a biomarker for monitoring CNS-GCT patients.
  • * Results showed that ctDNA could be detected in 89% of diagnostic samples, indicating its potential for non-invasive diagnosis and treatment response monitoring in future CNS-GCT research.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * A study at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children assessed 17 children with a history of childhood ICH, discovering that their average Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) is in the clinically average range but tends to be lower overall.
  • * About 50-60% of participants showed deficits in areas like verbal learning, verbal memory, and processing speed, indicating a need for thorough clinical evaluations of neuropsychological abilities in these youth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs; ages 15-39 years) are a vulnerable population facing challenges in oncological care, including access to specialized care, transition of care, unique tumor biology, and poor representation in clinical trials. Brain tumors are the second most common tumor type in AYA, with malignant brain tumors being the most common cause of cancer-related death. The 2021 WHO Classification for central nervous system (CNS) Tumors highlights the importance of integrated molecular characterization with histologic diagnosis in several tumors relevant to the AYA population.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF