Integrating RNA sequencing into neuro-oncology practice

Publication date: Available online 8 July 2017
Source:Translational Research
Author(s): David S. Rogawski, Nicholas A. Vitanza, Angela C. Gauthier, Vijay Ramaswamy, Carl Koschmann
Malignant tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) cause substantial morbidity and mortality, yet efforts to optimize chemo- and radiotherapy have largely failed to improve dismal prognoses. Over the past decade, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has emerged as a powerful tool to comprehensively characterize the transcriptome of CNS tumor cells in one high-throughput step, leading to improved understanding of CNS tumor biology and suggesting new routes for targeted therapies. RNA-seq has been instrumental in improving diagnostic classification of brain tumors, characterizing oncogenic fusion genes, and shedding light on intra-tumor heterogeneity. Currently, RNA-seq is beginning to be incorporated into regular neuro-oncology practice in the form of precision neuro-oncology programs, which use information from tumor sequencing to guide implementation of personalized targeted therapies. These programs show great promise in improving patient outcomes for tumors where single agent trials have been ineffective. As RNA-seq is a relatively new technique, many further applications yielding new advances in CNS tumor research and management are expected in the coming years.



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