The research will focus on genomic and transcriptomic analysis of extrachromosomal DNA in pediatric tumors.

Epigenetic modifications and their roles in pediatric brain tumor formation: emerging insights from chromatin dysregulation

Pediatric brain tumors, the most devastating cancers affecting children, are believed to originate from neural stem/progenitor cells in developing brain. In precise timing and specific regions during the brain development, chromatin deregulation plays crucial roles in redirecting normal neuronal differentiation pathways toward tumorigenesis. Indeed, epigenomic abnormalities are thought to be more important for brain tumor formation especially in children than adults, as pediatric brain tumors generally exhibit fewer genetic mutations compared to adult brain tumors. Given the small number of mutations, targeting such limited alterations involved in cancer epigenomes is expected to be more effective in pediatric brain tumors. The mechanisms of cancer epigenomes include mutation or dysregulation of chromatin remodelers, histone modifiers, histones themselves, and DNA methylation enzymes. Furthermore, genomic rearrangements and/or higher-order chromatin topology also contribute to these epigenomic mechanisms. These mechanisms are commonly observed in various types of pediatric brain tumors. However, alterations in chromatin regulatory factors differ across tumor types, reflecting the unique epigenetic landscapes shaped by their tumor origins. Accordingly, clarifying their functional similarities and differences across tumor types could offer valuable insights for finding new therapeutic strategies. Thus, this review article focuses on elucidating how pediatric brain tumors arise from epigenomic deregulation and what epigenetic molecules or mechanisms could serve as therapeutic targets.

Read it here.

Dr. Owen Shojiro Chapman from the Lukas Chavez Lab at UCSD has joined our medulloblastoma research. He will be responsible for and strengthening the field of cancer bioinformatics.

Prof. Kawauchi presented “Conditional expression and activation of DREADDs reveals novel impact of neuron-tumor communications on brain tumor progression” at Neuro2024 (Fukuoka). This is a collaborative study with Prof. Naofumi Uesaka from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, focusing on elucidating the relationship between brain tumors and neural activity. Now, the fields of brain tumors and neuroscience should be integrated, requiring more multifaceted analysis. On the other hand, such unique research is expected to reveal new mechanisms of tumor progression!

国立精神・神経医療研究センター神経研究所と名古屋市立大学大学院医学研究科から「プレスリリース：小児悪性脳腫瘍の進展に関わる鍵となる遺伝子を発見 -がん化にともなうゲノム構造変化の理解からの治療戦略づくり-」が公開されました。

The Institute of Neuroscience hosted the “Brain Fest.” We were greatly inspired by the many young students from diverse universities and research backgrounds who participated. Although we were unable to offer lab tours this time due to our ongoing relocation, we aim to prepare thoroughly for the next event to give everyone a deeper insight into our brain tumor research. For more details, please click here.

With the opportunity provided by the Department of Neurophysiology at Tokyo Women’s Medical University (Professor Mariko Miyata), Professor Kawauchi presented his recent findings on brain tumor research and discussed future developments in the field. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to audience at Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Professor Mariko Miyata, and coordinator Dr. Hisako Nakayama for their participation and support.