Comparison of Fusion Calling Platforms in Pediatric DIPG and High‐grade Glioma

Molecular research into pediatric brain tumors is stimulating the development and testing of targeted therapies. However, effective targeted options are still unavailable for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). DIPGs are especially lethal due to their aggressiveness and a lack of therapeutic options. In previous studies, researchers have found that 20% of pediatric high grade gliomas (pHGG) have gene fusions, genes formed of two previously independent genes. These fusions can frequently be pivotal in the growth and persistence of a tumor. Identification of gene fusions associated with pediatric DIPG could open the door for new precision medicine techniques. The collaborative team of researchers on this project include a bioinformatics group that specializes in the optimization of the analysis necessary to locate fusion genes. This analysis, the CODAC pipeline, has advanced research of precision medicine for adult solid tumors. In this project, researchers will compare CODAC to multiple other tools on DIPG data made available through the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas. Researchers are optimistic this will lead to an optimized platform for the identification of novel targets for the treatment of DIPG.