Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Basic and Translational Research Conference Recap 

2011 Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Basic and Translational Research Conference

May 19-20, 2011, Loews Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana

 

The 2011 Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Basic and Translational Research Conference took place at the Loews Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana May 19-20, 2011.  The Conference was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF).

 

Some 200 clinicians, clinician-scientists, scientists, trainees and students attended this meeting.  There were participants from over 13 countries around the world.  There were platform and poster presenations in addition to Sunrise Sessions where attendees could “Meet the Experts” in the field. The Sunrise Sessions included topics such as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, molecular insights at the crossroads of neurodevelopment in tumorigenesis, translating the genomics of pediatric brain tumors into routine clinical practice, stem cells in pediatric brain tumors, and understanding treatment resistance and recurrence in pediatric brain tumors.   A host of superb speakers was selected for these Sunrise sessions, and they were very well attended.

 

The Scientific Session on Thursday May 19^thwas divided into sessions on the genetics and basic biology of pediatric brain tumors, stem cells in translational therapeutics, pediatric brain tumor models and immunology, and high grade glioma and ependymomas.  A major focus on the first day was on the BRAF fusion gene in tumors such as pilocytic astrocytoma.  It has only been in the past 2 years that the importance of BRAF has been fully appreciated in pediatric brain tumors, and this Scientificd Session offered some of the latest research and models on this topic.

 

The session on stem cells covered neural progenitor cells in conditions like neurofibromatosis-1 model systems in mouse and tissue culture, and developmental pathway driven tumors such as the hedgehog pathway in medulloblastoma.  The session on brain tumor models focused on medulloblastoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, and tumors found in tuberous sclerosis complex.   An outstanding presentation was given on the creation of a novel pilocytic astrocytoma model in mice using activated activated BRAF.  The afternoon session on high grade gliomas and ependymomas had research papers on angiogenesis, growth factor activating pathways including IGF-1R and PGF-Ra/b, and genomic alterations especially in ependymoma.  A provocative presentation on screening of tumor neural stem cells revealed potential new treatments for ependymoma.

 

On Friday May 20^th, 2011 the day began with a Scientific Session on medulloblastoma, and several presentations were given which elucidated how far the research has gone with respect to increasing our understanding of the molecular biology of this particular tumor type.  Large numbers of medulloblastoma samples have been analyzed in an international consortium that has provided the latest and most up to date genetic cataloging of major changes in medulloblastoma.

 

The late morning session continued on the theme of medulloblastoma, and research areas such as microRNAs, thrombospondin-1, SGK-1, FSTL5, FBWX7 and H1 were discussed with many of these genes serving as novel targets in this tumor.

 

From SNO, I should like to thank Fred Lang, President, Chas Haynes, Executive Director, Linda Greer and Jan Esenwein for all their assistance and encouragement.  From the PBTF, I should like to thank Dianne Traynor, Executive Director and President, for her support, and continued interest in bringing together the best and brightest individuals working in the field  of pediatric neuro-oncology.

 

The meeting was considered a great success, and a model of its kind for future meetings.  Given how rapidly the field is changing, and how enthusiastic attendees were with this Conference, planning is now underway for the next meeting.

 

Dr. James T. Rutka

MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, FAAP, FAAN

RS McLaughlin Professor and Chair

Department of Surgery, University of Toronto

Co-Director, The Arthur and Sonia Labatt

Brain Tumour Research Centre

Professor