Comparison of CBTN Patient Data with Molecularly-Defined Stem Cell Models of Pediatric Brain Tumors

Preclinical models are a common way for researchers to study tumor types as well as test diagnostics and therapies. Researchers are currently developing various models of malignant pediatric tumors such as medulloblastoma, malignant glioma, diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) and choroid plexus carcinomas. The focus of this research is on the signaling pathways of MYC and MYCN cancer genes. These pathways are commonly dysregulated in childhood brain tumors and a deeper understanding of this dysregulation could lead to more accurate diagnoses and new therapeutics. Researchers will compare patient-derived gene expression profiles housed in the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas to data generated from models. This will allow researchers to validate that their newly developed models are accurate and relevant to medical professionals.