Transcription Factor Fingerprint Provides Clues for Brain Tumor Cell of Origin

Mouse models that faithfully represent the biology of human brain tumors are critical tools for unraveling the underlying tumor biology and screening for potential precision therapies. This is especially true of rare tumor types, many of which have correspondingly few xenograft or cell lines available. Although our understanding of the specific biological pathways driving cancer has improved significantly, identifying the appropriate progenitor populations to drive oncogenic processes represents a significant barrier to efficient mouse model production. In this issue of Cancer Research, Jessa and colleagues developed an innovative transcription factor fingerprinting method to map the cellular origin of central nervous system neuroblastoma, FOXR2-activated to medial ganglionic eminence–derived interneurons, which could then be efficiently targeted in the developing mouse brain using in utero electroporation. This approach serves as a blueprint for investigating other rare pediatric brain tumors, potentially accelerating progress toward the development of mouse models and identification of effective therapies.

See related article by Jessa et al., p. 231