Study of Stored Tumor Samples in Young Patients With Brain Tumors

Molecular and Histopathologic Characterization of Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors, Choroid Plexus Carcinomas, Ependymomas, Medulloblastoma HGNET, CNS Embryonal Tumors and Gliomas of the Pediatric CNS

This laboratory study is looking at stored tumor samples in young patients with brain tumors. Studying samples of tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.

The overall objective of this non-therapeutic protocol is to develop and molecularly characterize patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDOXs), organoids and in vitro models derived from medulloblastomas, High Grade Neuroepithelial Tumors (HGNET), CNS embryonal tumors, Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumors (ATRTs), Choroid Plexus Carcinomas (CPCs), ependymomas, and gliomas. The investigators will characterize the genome-wide mutation, expression and epigenetic signatures of these models and compare them with the primary tumors from which they were derived, thus creating a well-characterized and invaluable resource for research on these rare and deadly pediatric brain tumors. This will also provide important insights into intratumoral heterogeneity, and molecular abnormalities that may influence the selective pressures driving evolution, and tumor growth as in PDOXs, organoids or in vitro cultures and define the relationship between these abnormalities and tumor histologic and clinical characteristics. This objective will be achieved by applying state-of-the-art DNA, RNA and epigenome analysis tools to the study of fresh frozen and/or cryopreserved, fixed and cultured tumor cells, PDOXs and organoids. The establishment of patient-derived orthotopic xenografts, organoids and cell cultures from each tumor sample will also allow for in vitro and in vivo analysis of tumor cell growth, signaling and therapeutic response.

Inclusion Criteria

• Tumor may be primary, progressive or recurrent CNS tumor including brain and/or spine. All tumor types will be included with a focus on medulloblastoma, HGNET, CNS embryonal tumors, gliomas, ependymoma, CPC and ATRT tumors. Low grade gliomas are currently very challenging to culture and implant but if techniques mature these will also be included. Although rare, patients with ATRT may present with a primary renal and CNS tumor. In these instances samples will be collected from both the kidney and CNS tumor for analysis if available.
• Tumor may be collected at surgery prior to histologic confirmation
• Age less than 40 years at the time of initial diagnosis.
• Enrollment in the current version of the institution's banking protocol

Exclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of tumor outside the central nervous system.
• Age greater than or equal to 40 years at the time of diagnosis