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Welcome to this Illumina-sponsored podcast where we explore the cutting edge of cancer research. Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of central nervous system (CNS) tumors and how a groundbreaking technique—DNA methylation profiling—is revolutionizing their diagnosis and management. We will be speaking with a true leader in the field of neuropathology and a key figure in the advancement of CNS tumor classification: Dr. Matija Snuderl from NYU Langone Health. Dr. Snuderl’s pioneering work has been instrumental in integrating cutting-edge molecular techniques, particularly DNA methylation profiling, into the diagnostic landscape of brain and spinal cord tumors. His expertise and research have significantly shaped our understanding and management of these complex diseases. For years, classifying these complex tumors relied heavily on traditional methods. But now, DNA methylation analysis is stepping into the spotlight, moving from research labs into everyday clinical practice.
In this first episode, we’ll trace the journey of DNA methylation from early research to its crucial role in current clinical guidelines. What pivotal studies paved the way, like the prospective work by Galbraith and colleagues? How has the latest WHO CNS classification, the fifth edition, embraced this technology?
We’ll also touch upon the latest updates from cIMPACT-NOW, specifically their ninth recommendations on genome-wide DNA methylation. Could these insights hint at what’s to come in the potential WHO CNS version six?
