Cutting edge technology to crack an aggressive brain tumour

This project was selected in the framework of our European call: FIGHT KIDS CANCER 2020. It is jointly financed by Imagine for Margo, Kriibskrank Kanner Fondatioun and KickCancer.

It is thanks to your participation in RUN TO KICK 2020 that this innovative project is funded!

Discover the project's video.

Researchers recently identified a new subtype of central nervous system tumour: the high-grade neuroepithelial tumour with a BCOR-alteration (CNS HGNET-BCOR). This tumour has distinct molecular characteristics, is highly aggressive and has a poor clinical prognosis.

To date we do not know which biological processes drive this tumour type and no effective treatments exist.

The collaborative project POBCORN aims at in-depth investigation of CNS HGNET-BCOR biology with cutting-edge molecular technologies.

A “multi-omics” approach will be used improve our understanding of this tumour type at several levels:

- Patients’ stratification (or classification), and

- Identification of novel treatment approaches (on the basis of this novel stratification).

The “omics” consist of various analysis tools (molecular biology, radiography…) that enable a better characterisation and understanding of diseases or the functioning of our body.

In this case, multi-omics approach means that tumour tissue will be analysed with several techniques and different angles, such as:

- Genomics (gene transcription)

- Epigenomics (epigenetic analysis -see EpiRT project for explanation on this)

- Transcriptomics (transcript analysis of the gene or how each gene transcription leads to the creation of proteins)

Once this newly identified tumour type is better characterised, the study will test in a pre-clinical setting several identified drugs which show potential promises to improve the treatment for those children with a poor prognosis.

In summary, the objective of the POBCORN project is to identify which events lead to tumour growth as well as potential therapeutic targets.

It also aims at providing first translational guidance on how to treat CNS HGNET-BCOR patients in future clinical trials. The BCOR alteration is mostly found in central nervous system tumours such as glioblastoma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma but also in clear cell sarcoma, acute myeloid leukaemia and retinoblastoma. In the longer run, those findings will also benefit those latter patients.

This project aims at identifying news treatment options for children with a rhabdoid tumour. As a result, the project will benefit all children (Belgian, European and beyond!) if the study’s conclusions are encouraging.