About this Research Topic
Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors include a heterogeneous group of glial and non-glial types in both adult and pediatric populations. The non-glial tumors are derived from such diverse structures as the meninges, germ cells, and blood vessels. Non-glial tumors include meningiomas, schwannomas, craniopharngiomas, chordomas, pituitary neoplasms, embryonal tumors, choroid plexus neoplasms, and pineal gland tumors.
Each non-glial tumor type has a unique morphology and pattern of biologic behavior, which portends a distinct prognosis and outcome. A critical conceptual shift that has materialized with the publication of the revised 4th edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the CNS was the incorporation of molecular alterations into the diagnosis of specific neoplastic entities including non-glial tumors like medulloblastomas and ATRT.
However, the WHO has not included the use of molecular and markers in the diagnostic approach to other non-glial tumors. Nevertheless, there are known associations between molecular aberrations and histological subtypes, WHO grade and risk of recurrence of these tumors. These emerging findings may result in an “integrated” diagnostic approach.
In an effort to define novel therapeutic targets across molecularly heterogeneous non-glial CNS neoplasms, researchers have begun to uncover the complex interplay between epigenetics, cell signalling, metabolism and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In addition to the identification of molecular heterogeneity, next generation sequencing efforts have improved characterization of the immunological profile of non-glial CNS neoplasms, leading to expanded efforts in the development of immunotherapy.
In this collection of articles, we want to show the advances in molecular profiling and immunophenotyping of non-glial CNS tumours which may lead to the development of new personalized therapeutic strategies.
This Research Topic will cover all novel research articles, clinical trials and reviews related to the field of molecular advances and immmunopheno-profiling in primary non-glial CNS tumors, in both adult and pediatric populations. We welcome papers which use these multidisciplinary perspectives.
Each non-glial tumor type has a unique morphology and pattern of biologic behavior, which portends a distinct prognosis and outcome. A critical conceptual shift that has materialized with the publication of the revised 4th edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the CNS was the incorporation of molecular alterations into the diagnosis of specific neoplastic entities including non-glial tumors like medulloblastomas and ATRT.
However, the WHO has not included the use of molecular and markers in the diagnostic approach to other non-glial tumors. Nevertheless, there are known associations between molecular aberrations and histological subtypes, WHO grade and risk of recurrence of these tumors. These emerging findings may result in an “integrated” diagnostic approach.
In an effort to define novel therapeutic targets across molecularly heterogeneous non-glial CNS neoplasms, researchers have begun to uncover the complex interplay between epigenetics, cell signalling, metabolism and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In addition to the identification of molecular heterogeneity, next generation sequencing efforts have improved characterization of the immunological profile of non-glial CNS neoplasms, leading to expanded efforts in the development of immunotherapy.
In this collection of articles, we want to show the advances in molecular profiling and immunophenotyping of non-glial CNS tumours which may lead to the development of new personalized therapeutic strategies.
This Research Topic will cover all novel research articles, clinical trials and reviews related to the field of molecular advances and immmunopheno-profiling in primary non-glial CNS tumors, in both adult and pediatric populations. We welcome papers which use these multidisciplinary perspectives.
Keywords: Non-glial, Molecular, Neoplasm, CNS tumors, clinical trials
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
