Author Spotlight: Finding New Therapeutic Targets for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Through Genome-Scale shRNA Screens

We are striving to understand the pathogenesis of sporadic and NF1-associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Our goal is to logically develop new treatments for these highly aggressive neoplasms. Technologies we are currently implementing to advance our research include unbiased methods like genome-scale shRNA screens, as well as single-cell sequencing, BaseScope in situ probes, and bioinformatics.

Using the various current approaches, we have identified multiple receptors that are essential for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors'proliferation and survival, as well as being therapeutically targetable. These receptors include the neuregulin receptor, ErbB3, and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 3. The advantage of using this approach lies in its capacity to examine the proliferative significance of over 15, 000 genes in MPNST cancer cell lines.

This is an unbiased approach that identifies unexplored targets in the treatment of MPNSTs. Moving forward, our laboratory's focus will concentrate on validating the targets identified in our screen. This includes using inhibitors on cell lines and culture and ultimately, translating that to animal work.