Description
The EORTC Brain Tumor Group (BTG) initiates and conducts academic clinical trials in patients with brain tumours, as well as designing and completing translational research associated with these trials. Its strategy is to challenge, re-define and develop standards of care in all controversial areas of diagnostic and therapeutic Neuro-Oncology, with a focus on diffuse gliomas of adulthood of WHO grades II to IV and, in recent years, also meningioma. The BTG has created several subcommittees that help design and conduct its scientific projects and cover key aspects of all projects such as imaging, translational research, quality of life, and quality assurance. The BTG is open for cooperative projects involving other EORTC groups as well external cooperation, for example with Neuro-Oncology networks in Canada, Australia and the US. The group aims to recruit and mentor junior European colleagues from all involved disciplines who are interested in pursuing an academic career in Neuro-Oncology.
Related News
All newsRecruiting Clinical Trials
All clinical trials in this research field-
Phase 3
Radiation versus Observation following surgical resection of Atypical Meningioma: a randomised controlled trial (The ROAM trial) / EORTC 1308
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Cross-sectional
Molecular genetic, host-derived and clinical determinants of long-term survival in glioblastoma
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Phase 1
Study of TG02 in Elderly Newly Diagnosed or Adult Relapsed Patients with Anaplastic Astrocytoma or Glioblastoma: A Phase Ib Study
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Phase 3
IDH mutated 1p/19q intact lower grade glioma following resection: Wait Or Treat? IWOT - A phase III study
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Cohort
Revision of the EORTC QLQ-BN20 brain tumor module
Main Achievements
In 2005, an EORTC-led trial defined the current standard of care of temozolomide chemoradiotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
A translational research study linked to this trial established O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status as a predictive biomarker for benefit from temozolomide chemotherapy.
In 2014, long-term follow-up of EORTC 26951 demonstrated that PCV polychemotherapy after radiotherapy improved progression-free and overall survival in anaplastic oligodendroglial tumours with 1p/19q codeletion.
In 2016, the CATNON trial demonstrated that maintenance temozolomide prolongs survival in patients with 1p/19q-non-codeleted anaplastic gliomas.
In 2016, a trial performed in partnership with Canada Cancer Clinical Trial Group, in elderly patients, confirmed the added benefit of temozolomide based chemoradiotherapy.
Also in 2016, in the Lancet Oncology, two papers revealed that there were no significant differences in Progression-Free Survival (PFS) , Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and cognitive function in patients with low-grade glioma who were treated with either standard radiotherapy or primary chemotherapy.
Related Projects
SPECTAbrain: The aim of SPECTAbrain is to collect tumour specimens from patients with brain tumours for detailed molecular characterisation. This offers multiple opportunities to investigate the biology of brain tumours and to allocate eligible patients to biomarker-driven therapeutic clinical trials.
1230: Prognostic factor analysis in elderly GBM. Development of the model in Nordic and NOA 8 and validation in EORTC 26062/NCCTG CE.6 trial.
(project leader: Annika Malmstrom)
Analyses ongoing.
1337: Secondary analysis of the impact of extended adjuvant temozolomide in newly-diagnosed glioblastoma.
(project leaders: Deborah Blumenthal & Roger Stupp)
The publication has been accepted in Neuro-Oncology.
1426: Prognostic effect of the use of statins, ACE and sartanes in newly diagnosed glioblastoma
(project leader: Caroline Happold)
Publication in preparation.
1542 (G-SAM): Stability of actionable mutations in glioblastoma
(project leader: Pim French)
Genomic analyses ongoing.
1632 (ANTICOA-GBM): Retrospective evaluation of the effect of anticoagulants during initial treatment on survival and safety in glioblastoma patients
(project leader: Emilie Le Rhun)
Analyses ongoing
1654: Meta-analysis of the correlation between MGMT promoter methylation data and survival outcome after chemoratiotherapy (TMZ/RT /TMZ) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma
(project leader: Michael Weller)
Pending for complete data collection.
1661 (GLIOMAG II/III PANEL): Construction of an integrated diagnostic algorithm consisting of consensus histology and molecular parameters using the pathology slides of CATNON and the low-grade glioma study
(project leader: Max Kros)
Pending for complete data collection.
1662 (JBTDDC): Jumpstarting Brain Tumor Drug Development Coalition (JBTDDC); MRI Image Analysis Workgroup
(project leader: Michael Weller)
Pending for DTA signature.
1663 (Metformin-GBM): Associate of metformin use with outcome in IDH1-mutant vs IDH1-Wildtype gliomas of WHO Grades II-IV
(project leader: Peter Hau)
Analyses ongoing.
1664 (TMT-Gliomas): Evaluation of temporal muscle thickness as prognostic parameter in glioma patients: retrospective imaging study in TAVAREC 26091 and EORTC 26101
(project leader: Matthias Preusser)
Pending for CDA signature.
1665 (Antidepressant): Potential prognostic effect of tricyclic antidepressants in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
(project leader: Florence Lefranc)
Analyses ongoing.
European Reference Networks (ERN) for rare solid tumours (EURACAN). EURACAN is involving references centers in Europe covering ten types of rare cancers. EURACAN will improve patient cares and facilitate research in rare cancers. EORTC is providing the clinical research infrastructure. (No website available yet)
Research Group
Group documents-
Chair
Michael Weller
Universitätsspital Zürich
Zurich, Switzerland
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Secretary
Jaap Reijneveld
Amsterdam University Medical Centres (Location VUmc)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Treasurer
Frédéric Dhermain
Institut Gustave Roussy
Villejuif, France
Steering Committee
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A. Berghoff - Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH , AT
YNO
Medical University Vienna
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A. Darlix - Montpellier , FR
YNO
Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier
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F. Dhermain - Villejuif, FR
Institut Gustave Roussy
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L. Dirven - Leiden, NL
Chair Quality of Life Committee
Leiden University Medical Centre
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P. French - Rotterdam, NL
Chair Translational Research, Pathology & SPECTA Committee
Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam
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J. Gempt - Muenchen , DE
YNO
Technische Universitaet Muenchen - Klinikum Rechts Der Isar
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P. Hau - Regensburg, DE
Universitaetskliniken Regensburg
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E. Le Rhun - Zurich, CH
Chair CNS Metastasis Committee
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich - Neurology Clinic
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M. Preusser - Vienna, AT
Chair Meningioma Committee
Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH
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E. Razis - Athens, GR
Chair Quality Assurance Committee
Hygeia Hospital
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J. Reijneveld - Amsterdam, NL
Amsterdam University Medical Centres (Location VUmc)
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C. Seliger - Regensburg, DE
YNO
Universitaetskliniken Regensburg
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M. Smits - Rotterdam, NL
Chair Imaging Committee
Erasmus MC Cancer Institute
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M. Touat - Paris, FR
YNO
Hopitaux de Paris - La Pitie Salpetriere
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M. van den Bent - Rotterdam, NL
Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam
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G. Vogin - Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy CEDEX, FR
Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine
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T. Weiss - Zurich, CH
YNO
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich - Neurology Clinic
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M. Weller - Zurich, CH
Universitätsspital Zürich
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W. Wick - Heidelberg, DE
UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg
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P. Roth - Zurich, CH
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich
Committees Chairs & Members - Translational Research, Pathology & SPECTA
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P. French - Rotterdam, NL
Chair
Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam
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J. Kros - Rotterdam, NL
Past-Chair
Erasmus Medical Center
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M. Hegi - Lausanne, CH
Past-Chair, SPECTA
Laboratory of Brain Tumor Biology and Genetics – CHUV
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A. Berghoff - Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH , AT
Medical University Vienna
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F. Bielle - Paris, FR
Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP
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S. Brandner - London, GB
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
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G. Finocchiaro - Milano, IT
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
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M. Kouwenhoven - Amsterdam, NL
Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum
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C. Mawrin - Magdeburg, DE
Otto-Von-Guericke-Universitaet
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M. Preusser - Vienna, AT
Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH
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G. Reifenberger - Dusseldorf, DE
Universitaetsklinik Dusseldorf
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P. Roth - Zurich, CH
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich
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M. Sanson - Paris, FR
La Pitie Salpetriere
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C. Seliger - Regensburg, DE
Universitaetskliniken Regensburg
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M. Touat - Paris, FR
Hopitaux de Paris - La Pitie Salpetriere
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M. Uhl - Erlangen, DE
Universitaetsklinik Erlangen-Neurologische Klinik
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M. Vieito - Barcelona, ES
Hospital General Vall D'Hebron
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T. Weiss - Zurich, CH
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich - Neurology Clinic
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A. Wöhrer - Vienna, AT
Medical University Vienna
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M. Al-Hussaini - Amman, JO
King Hussein Cancer Center
Committees Chairs & Members - Quality Assurance
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E. Razis - Athens, GR
Chair
Hygeia Hospital
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P. Hau - Regensburg, DE
Past Chair
Universitaetskliniken Regensburg
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N. Andratschke - Zurich, CH
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich
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F. De Vos - Utrecht, NL
Universitair Medisch Centrum
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F. Dhermain - Villejuif, FR
Institut Gustave Roussy
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P. Lohmann - Juelich, DE
Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
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J. Gempt - Muenchen , DE
Technische Universitaet Muenchen - Klinikum Rechts Der Isar
Committees Chairs & Members - Quality of Life
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L. Dirven - Leiden, NL
Chair
Leiden University Medical Centre
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J. Reijneveld - Amsterdam, NL
Past Chair
Amsterdam University Medical Centres (Location VUmc)
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A. Bottomley - Brussels, BE
EORTC Headquarters
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C. Coens - Brussels, BE
EORTC Headquarters
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J. Koekkoek - Leiden , NL
Leiden University Medical Centre
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E. Le Rhun - Zurich, CH
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich - Neurology Clinic
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C. Marosi - Vienna, AT
Medical University Vienna
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C. Panciroli - Barcelona, ES
Institut Catalá d’Oncologia (ICO Badalona) – Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol
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C. Seidel - Leipzig, DE
Universitaetsklinikum Leipzig
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M. Taphoorn - Den Haag, NL
Haaglanden Medical Centre
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C. Hertler - Zurich, CH
Universitätsspital Zürich
Committees Chairs & Members - Imaging
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M. Smits - Rotterdam, NL
Chair, Imaging Group liaison
Erasmus MC Cancer Institute
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M. Bendszus - Heidelberg, DE
Past-Chair
UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg
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I. Compter - Maastricht , NL
Imaging Group representative
Maastro Clinic - Maastricht Radiation Oncology
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J. Gempt - Muenchen , DE
Imaging Group representative
Technische Universitaet Muenchen - Klinikum Rechts Der Isar
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E. Franceschi - Bologna, IT
Ospedale Bellaria
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J. Furtner - Vienna , AT
Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH
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D. Galanaud - Paris, FR
Pitié-Salpetrière
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N. Galldiks - Koeln, DE
Universitaetsklinikum Koeln
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J. Gallego - Pamplona, ES
Clinica Universitaria De Navarra
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P. Kickingereder - Heidelberg, DE
UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg
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S. Lukacova - Aarhus , DK
Aarhus University Hospital
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N. Schmidt - Hamburg, DE
Universitaets-Krankenhaus Eppendorf
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T. Snijders - Utrecht, NL
Universitair Medisch Centrum - Academisch Ziekenhuis
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G. Vogin - Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy CEDEX, FR
Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine
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A. Grosu - Freiburg, DE
Universitaetsklinikum Freiburg
Committees Chairs & Members - Meningioma
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M. Preusser - Vienna, AT
Chair
Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH
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E. Le Rhun - Zurich, CH
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich - Neurology Clinic
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F. Sahm - Heidelberg, DE
UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg
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J. Furtner - Vienna , AT
Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH
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C. Mawrin - Magdeburg, DE
Otto-Von-Guericke-Universitaet
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H. Wirsching - Zurich , CH
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich
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R. Goldbrunner - Koeln, DE
Universitaetsklinikum Koeln
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G. Minniti - Roma, IT
Universita Degli Studi Di Roma La Sapienza
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M. Jenkinson - Liverpool, GB
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Committees Chairs & Members - CNS metastasis
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E. Le Rhun - Zurich, CH
Chair
UniversitaetsSpital Zurich - Neurology Clinic
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M. Bendszus - Heidelberg, DE
UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg
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A. Darlix - Montpellier , FR
Institut régional du Cancer Montpellier
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F. Dhermain - Villejuif, FR
Institut Gustave Roussy
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M. Preusser - Vienna, AT
Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH
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R. Soffietti - Torino, IT
Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino
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J. Tonn - Muenchen, DE
Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen
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P. Wesseling - Nijmegen , NL
Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen
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F. Winkler - Heidelberg, DE
UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg
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D. Brandsma - Amsterdam, NL
The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni Van Leeuwenhoekziekenhuis
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G. Minniti - Roma, IT
Universita Degli Studi Di Roma La Sapienza
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N. Galldiks - Koeln, DE
Universitaetsklinikum Koeln
Notable Publications
All publications on this research field-
2020
Objective neurocognitive functioning and neurocognitive complaints in patients with high-grade glioma: Evidence of cognitive awareness from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer brain tumour clinical trials
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2020
Memory in low-grade glioma patients treated with radiotherapy or Temozolomide. A correlative analysis of EORTC study 22033-26033
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2020
Calculating the net clinical benefit in neuro-oncology clinical trials using two methods: quality-adjusted survival effect sizes and joint modeling
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2020
Automated quantitative tumour response assessment of MRI in neuro-oncology with artificial neural networks: a multicentre, retrospective study.
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2020
Methylome analyses of three glioblastoma cohorts reveal chemotherapy sensitivity markers within DDR genes