Abstract B010: Revealing the Influence of the Infantile Immune System on the Developmental Origins of Childhood Ependymoma: An Integrative Multi-Omic Investigation of Supratentorial Ependymoma Tumorigenesis Driven by ZFTA-RELA Fusion
Authors: Cooper Elizabeth , Bonner Sigourney , Jassim Amir , Katyal Gunjan , Kardian Alisha , Mack Stephen C. , Masih Katherine , Taylor Jessica T. , King Claire , Rahrmann Katherine Wickham , Hu Linda , Gilbertson Richard J. 
Published: December 2023

Despite advances in treatment, the recurrence rate of childhood supratentorial ependymomas remains distressingly high, with approximately 60% of patients experiencing relapse. Moreover, the rigorous treatment regimen poses significant challenges to the quality of life of affected children. Among supratentorial ependymomas, those driven by the ZFTA-RELA fusion represent over 70% of cases. Here, we present the pioneering development of a spontaneous genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) for ZFTA-RELA fusion-driven ependymoma. By targeting the Nestin-Flx-STOP-Flx-ZFTA-RELA open reading frame with luciferase to the Rosa-26 locus of C57B/L6 mice, and subsequently crossing them with the Nestin-CreERT2 line, we successfully induced recombination in neural progenitor cells. Consequently, resulting in the development of forebrain tumors that could be monitored through non-invasive bioluminescence imaging from postnatal day 20. Recognizing the neonatal origins of ZFTA-RELA ependymoma, our study employed an integrated multi-omic approach to investigate the complete developmental trajectory of this tumor, spanning from embryonic stages to postnatal tumor formation. Notably, we uncovered a reservoir of immature immune populations in the developing brain, which we implicate in the central tolerance of ependymoma tumorigenesis. The coordinated interaction between these immature immune populations in the developing brain and immune cell progenitors in the skull bone marrow niche establishes a unique environment that fosters tumor formation. In light of these findings, we propose that immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at augmenting these immature immune populations hold promise as potential therapeutic interventions. By exploiting the intricate interplay between these populations, we may unlock new avenues for targeted immunotherapies in ZFTA-RELA ependymoma. Our research sheds vital light on the critical role played by the pediatric immune system in the developmental origins of this devastating malignancy, opening up exciting possibilities for improved treatments and outcomes in the future.

Citation Format: Elizabeth Cooper, Sigourney Bonner, Amir Jassim, Gunjan Katyal, Alisha Kardian, Stephen C. Mack, Katherine Masih, Jessica T. Taylor, Claire King, Katherine Wickham Rahrmann, Linda Hu, Richard J. Gilbertson. Revealing the Influence of the Infantile Immune System on the Developmental Origins of Childhood Ependymoma: An Integrative Multi-Omic Investigation of Supratentorial Ependymoma Tumorigenesis Driven by ZFTA-RELA Fusion [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B010.