In 1988, Dr. Gregory Cairncross discovered that oligodendrogliomas, a type of brain cancer, are sensitive to chemotherapy. In 1998, he discovered a molecular marker of chemosensitivity and long survival in this cancer. Testing for loss of chromosomes Ip and 19q is used worldwide to assist in the diagnosis and care of patients with oligodendrogliomas.

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CAIRNCROSS, J. Gregory –Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary
In 1988, Dr. Gregory Cairncross discovered that oligodendrogliomas, a type of brain cancer, are sensitive to chemotherapy. In 1998, he discovered a molecular marker of chemosensitivity and long survival in this cancer. Testing for loss of chromosomes Ip and 19q is used worldwide to assist in the diagnosis and care of patients with oligodendrogliomas. This finding provided a new framework for basic research and clinical trials in his field. In 2008, he reported that life is prolonged by giving chemotherapy for this disease.