St. Jude researchers map neuroblastoma cell types to identify high-risk signatures

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and their collaborators have developed a comprehensive dataset to better understand neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumor in children outside the brain. By utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial omics on 54 tumors from 50 patients, the research team identified a specific gene signature linked to malignant mesenchymal cells.

Neuroblastoma cells typically exist in two states: adrenergic cells, associated with low-risk disease, and mesenchymal cells, which are linked to high-risk disease, treatment resistance, and poor patient outcomes. Distinguishing malignant mesenchymal cells from healthy ones has historically been difficult. To solve this, researchers used patient-derived xenografts to isolate a clear gene expression profile unique to the malignant population, providing a new framework and tools for studying high-risk neuroblastoma.