Identification of thymosins beta(4) and beta(10) in paediatric craniopharyngioma cystic fluid

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma is the third most recurrent paediatric brain tumour. Although histologically benign, it behaves aggressively as a malignant tumour due to invasion of the hypothalamus and visual pathways. Surgery is still the first and almost the only mode of treatment, although serious damage can occur as a consequence of tumour localization. The proteomic characterization of the intracystic tumoural fluid could contribute to the comprehension of the tumorigenesis processes and to the development of therapeutic targets to reduce cyst volume, allowing less invasive surgery and/or delay of the radical resection of the tumour mass and the collateral serious effects.