Clinical and molecular characterization of rare and newly defined brain tumor entities Including CNS sarcomas, BCOR altered tumors, astroblastomas/MN-1 altered tumors. PLAG1 altered tumors and histologically ambiguous/unclassifiable brain tumors

The outlook of childhood brain tumors is very different across different brain cancer types. Certain brain tumors can be very rare. Due to the rarity of certain tumor types, very few studies have been completed thereby explaining our lack of understanding of the biological behavior and best treatment approaches. Recent genetic studies demonstrated that these tumors can be characterized by changes in DNA. In collaboration with doctors across the globe, we are collecting a large number of tumor samples from patients diagnosed with ultra-rare brain tumors. This study will investigate the specific genetic changes found in these tumors and will identify risk factors and best treatment approaches for these patients. The implications of this study are far-reaching. With the results of this study, we will have a better understanding of prognostic factors implicated in the poor outcomes of these patients and will provide the infrastructure to develop novel treatment approaches.