Research Progress on the Effects of Radiotherapy on Gene Expression in Pediatric Gliomas

doi:10.19617/j.issn1001-1370.20250610002

Abstract：Radiation therapy is a key component of the comprehensive treatment plan for various tumors. A deep understanding of the molecular basis of tumors, especially the mechanisms by which cancer cells respond to radiotherapy, is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes and improving patient survival rates. Although extensive research has explored gene expression patterns and molecular characteristics related to radiotherapy in many tumor types, there remains a relative lack of studies on brain tumors, particularly diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), a subtype of brain tumor. As a highly aggressive pediatric brain tumor, studying the sensitivity to radiotherapy and molecular response mechanisms is particularly important. Currently, there is no systematic study focusing on the dynamic changes in gene expression profiles before and after radiotherapy in pediatric brain tumors. This review aims to systematically summarize relevant literature from 2011 to 2024, exploring the effects of radiotherapy on gene expression and molecular pathways in pediatric brain tumors, especially DMG. Existing studies show that radiotherapy can induce activation and remodeling of key signaling pathways, including DNA damage repair, cell cycle regulation, and changes in apoptosis pathways. This review further emphasizes that identifying key genes and pathways in radiotherapy response not only helps reveal underlying biological mechanisms but may also provide the basis for developing new prognostic biomarkers and molecular targeted therapies, thereby promoting the development of personalized treatment and ultimately improving clinical outcomes for children with brain tumors.