Abstract IA29: Developmental and oncogenic programs in pediatric brain tumors dissected by single-cell RNA-sequencing

Abstract

Abstract During development, the multiple cell types of human brain arise from pluripotent stem cells via progressively more committed progenitor cells. Emerging data suggest that pediatric brain tumors arise from progenitors that have become developmentally stalled. In preliminary studies, our lab used single-cell RNA-seq to display the expression profiles of individual cells within pediatric midline and hemispheric high-grade gliomas. Our data show that these tumors are composed of (i) replicating cells that resemble glial and neural progenitors and (ii) maturing cells resembling astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, or mesenchymal cells. In this presentation I will address how single-cell RNA-sequencing has revolutionized our understanding of the developmental hierarchy and oncogenic programs in pediatric brain tumors. Our recent findings pointing towards potential cells of origin of midline and hemispheric pediatric high-grade gliomas as well as plasticity of different cancer cell states will be discussed. Citation Format: Mariella G. Filbin. Developmental and oncogenic programs in pediatric brain tumors dissected by single-cell RNA-sequencing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 17-20; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(14 Suppl):Abstract nr IA29.