The findings, appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, may eventually lead to tests that predict patient survival and drugs that target the culprit genes.
While hundreds of gene mutations may contribute to brain cancers, the researchers decided to search for the problem genes at the center of the interplay driving a tumor's growth.
The study's lead author likened those genes to organized crime bosses.
"You want to find the strategy to knock down the Mafia," said Dr. Markus Bredel of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, who led the research. "So you probably want to get the big bosses."
The researchers looked at the gene profiles of brain tumor samples from more than 500 cancer patients. Most of the patients had high-grade gliomas and some had glioblastomas, the deadliest type of brain cancer believed to be afflicting Kennedy, who disclosed his illness in May of last year.
The researchers examined the interactions among genes. They found 11 "hub" genes and dozens of "hub-interacting" genes intricately connected to one another by biological functions.
