Research

Research in the Department of Neuro-Oncology focuses on translating laboratory findings into new treatments to offer new, more effective therapies for CNS tumors. Improvements in survival rates and quality of life for brain tumor patients will depend on extending our understanding of the genetic abnormalities and molecular events responsible for the development, progression and spread of brain tumors, in order to develop new and more effective treatment options.

Read more detailed information about Research in Neuro-Oncology.

The Department of Neuro Oncology participates in multi- institutional collaborative research efforts. These efforts involve institutions around the country collaborating with MD Anderson Cancer Center on studies for brain tumor treatments. The CERN and the BTTC organizations are examples of such efforts.

CERN

The CERN (Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network) Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop new treatments for ependymoma, thereby improving outcomes and care of patients and ultimately leading to a cure. MD Anderson Cancer Center coordinates this unique collaboration. Patients and caregivers can visit the CERN Foundation Web site for more information about ependymoma research and the CERN Foundation.

BTTC

The Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative (BTTC) was created as a network of medical centers with the expertise and the strong desire to participate in state-of-the-art clinical trials of new treatments for malignant brain tumors. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center coordinates this collaborative of fifteen institutions around the country. You can visit the BTTC Web site for information on brain tumors and related research.