What is the most common brain tumor in children?
Medulloblastoma, the most common childhood brain tumor, starts in the lower back part of the brain (cerebellum) and spreads quickly. The cerebellum is responsible for muscle coordination, balance and movement, so kids with this type of brain tumor often have trouble with all three.
Are there any clinical trials for medulloblastoma?
There is a clinical trial underway for medulloblastoma. The trial uses a medication previously only used for heart conditions to treat the tumor. The drug in question is called digoxin, made from the foxglove plant, which was itself well known as a heart treatment hundreds of years ago.
The foxglove is known for its tall, showy flowers that grow on a stalk up to five feet. While it is native to Europe, western Asia and parts of Africa, it’s often grown ornamentally in many parts of the world and is highly toxic if consumed.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) approved digoxin for heart treatment long ago, and until now that’s all it’s been used for.