Researchers Study the Cells of Origin for Medulloblastoma Subtypes

1. Researchers Study the Cells of
Origin for Medulloblastoma
Subtypes
By: Nielsen & Treas LLC

2. Researchers Study the Cells of Origin for
Medulloblastoma Subtypes
For over three decades, Nielsen & Treas, LLC, has been assisting its individual and institutional
clients by offering legal counsel and litigation services. Nielsen & Treas, LLC, also gives back to
the community by contributing to various nonprofit organizations, including the St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital.

3. Researchers Study the Cells of Origin for
Medulloblastoma Subtypes
For over 50 years, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has worked to understand, treat, and find
cures for cancer and other life-threatening diseases that affect children. Guided by this mission,
researchers in the St. Jude Department of Developmental Neurobiology have been working
alongside investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital and other medical professionals to
analyze the cells of origin for key subtypes of medulloblastoma using single-cell RNA-sequencing
technology.

4. Researchers Study the Cells of Origin for
Medulloblastoma Subtypes
Medulloblastoma, the most common malignant childhood tumor, has four subtypes: WNT, SNH,
Group 3, and Group 4. Of the four, Group 3 and Group 4 are represented by 60 percent of tumors
but remain inadequately tested, partly due to a lack of accurate laboratory models.

5. Researchers Study the Cells of Origin for
Medulloblastoma Subtypes
With the single-cell RNA-sequencing technology, researchers have been able to evaluate
individual cells to get a clearer picture of how subtypes emerge and affect one another. RNA
sequencing revealed that the Group 4 subtype may originate from glutamatergic cerebellar nuclei
and unipolar brush cells, which are cells found in the cerebellum. Meanwhile, the study for Group 3
medulloblastoma was inconclusive. While there may be a possibility that the cell originates from
tissues outside of the cerebellum, other factors are affecting the cell's ability to be recognized.

6. Researchers Study the Cells of Origin for
Medulloblastoma Subtypes
By investigating the behavior of the subtypes at the cellular level, researchers have uncovered the
cells of origin for some of the subtypes. This is critical in developing accurate laboratory models