Dormant SOX9-positive cells facilitate MYC-driven recurrence of medulloblastoma
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ABSTRACT: Tumor recurrence is a slow biological process involving therapy resistance, immune escape and metastasis and is the leading cause of death in medulloblastoma, the most frequent malignant pediatric brain tumor. By studying paired primary-recurrent patient samples and patient-derived xenografts we identified significant accumulation of SOX9-positive cells in relapses and metastases. They exist as rare, quiescent cells in Group 3 and Group 4 patients that constitute two thirds of medulloblastoma. To follow relapse at the single cell level we developed an inducible dual Tet Off animal model of MYC-driven MB, where MYC can be directed from treatment-sensitive bulk cells to resistant, dormant SOX9-positive cells. SOX9 promoted immune escape, DNA repair suppression and was essential for recurrence. Tumor cell dormancy was non-hierarchical, migratory and depended on MYC suppression by SOX9 to promote relapse. By using computational modeling and treatment we further showed how doxorubicin and MGMT inhibitors are specifically targeting relapsing cells.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE162080 | GEO | 2022/10/28
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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