Expression of Genes Associated with Immuno-Oncology in Pediatric Ependymomas

• Grant number: 24/09118-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Aparecida Teixeira
• Grantee: Livia Lanzoni de Freitas
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ependymomas (EPNs) are rare tumors of the central nervous system that originate from the ependymal cells of the cerebral ventricles, the central canal of the spinal cord, or cortical rests. These tumors can occur in both adults and children; however, pediatric patients have a more unfavorable prognosis, with a recurrence rate of 74% within 1.5 years. EPNs are a heterogeneous group of tumors with distinct molecular patterns. Recently, EPNs have been classified into 9 subgroups, more accurately reflecting the biological, clinical, and histopathological heterogeneity of the tumor. Despite advances, the treatment of EPNs, which is based on surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy when possible, remains a significant challenge. In adicction, many very young patients do not respond to available treatments and often suffer from debilitating late side effects. One factor that may influence treatment is the tumor microenvironment. The distinct microenvironment of EPNs is composed of various infiltrated immune cells that secrete substances promoting immune evasion, tumor progression, and infiltration. Furthermore, immune checkpoints are also dysregulated in EPNs and contribute to the tumor's immune evasion. Therefore, a more detailed understanding of the tumor microenvironment and immune factors associated with the development and progression of EPNs may contribute to the identification of new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets to improve treatment efficacy. Therefore, the aim of this project will be to evaluate, in 48 samples from EPN patients from the Barretos Cancer Hospital tumor bank, the transcriptional profile of 770 genes associated with immuno-oncology and the tumor microenvironment using the Pan Cancer Immune Profiling panel (NanoString). The obtained results will be correlated with clinical and molecular characteristics, as well as patient survival, aiming to identify biomarkers associated with the prognosis and treatment response of EPNs. The study may also contribute to the identification and development of new therapeutic targets involved in immuno-oncology.