Establishing a Thalamic Glioma Model

Midline glioma is a tumor type that can be found in many locations including the brainstem and the thalamus, with these cases being collectively classified as diffuse midline glioma. However, despite their grouping there are significant differences in the transcriptome, or genes expressed within in a tumor, based on location. Thalamic glioma makes up 1% of all brain tumors and almost 15% of all malignant pediatric tumors of the brain. There has been a recent research focus on the diffuse midline gliomas of the pons, also known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). However, still little is known about diffuse midline gliomas of the thalamus. This gap in knowledge is partially a consequence of there being no available in vivo models related to thalamic glioma. Researchers aim to develop an orthotopic xenograft model of thalamic glioma, models created by the implantation of tumor cells into a model animal, in this case mice. Researchers will attempt varying amounts of cells, coordinates, and ages of mice in order to accomplish this. Mice will then be monitored and observed to better understand thalamic glioma. Researchers will accomplish this through utilization of CBTN cell lines from thalamic glioma patient(s). This study will hopefully lay groundwork for future studies of thalamic glioma and highlight differences in development and response to therapy as compared to diffuse midline glioma.