Medulloblastoma initiation and spread: Where neurodevelopment, microenvironment and cancer cross pathways

Vahan Martirosian, Thomas C. Chen, Michelle Lin, Josh Neman

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Medulloblastomas are the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors. Over the past several decades, a wide range of tumor-centric studies have identified genes and their regulators within signaling pathways that promote medulloblastoma growth. This review aims to raise awareness that transdisciplinary research between developmental neurobiology and cancer foundations can advance our current understanding of how the nervous system contributes to medulloblastomas. By leveraging current advances in neurodevelopment, microenvironment (including secreted neuropeptides), neurotransmitters, and axon guidance cues, we can uncover novel mechanisms used by the nervous system to promote medulloblastoma growth and spread. This will ultimately result in development of improved strategies for cancer prevention and treatment of pediatric patients with this devastating disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1511-1519
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Neuroscience Research
Volume94
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2016

Keywords

  • medulloblastoma
  • metastasis
  • microenvironment
  • neurodevelopment
  • tumor initiation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Medulloblastoma initiation and spread: Where neurodevelopment, microenvironment and cancer cross pathways'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this