Pineoblastoma
Patofizjologia i mechanizm

Pineoblastoma to rzadki, wysoce złośliwy nowotwór mózgu IV stopnia WHO, wywodzący się z komórek szyszynki, głównie u dzieci ze średnim wiekiem zachorowania około 6 lat. Charakteryzuje się wysokim potencjałem inwazyjnym i rozsiewem drogą płynu mózgowo-rdzeniowego (CSF) w 45% przypadków. Molekularnie wyróżnia się pięć podgrup: miRNA processing altered 1 i 2 (z mutacjami w genach DICER1, DROSHA, DGCR8), RB1 altered (z mutacjami lub utratą RB1 oraz zyskiem miR-17/92) oraz MYC/FOXR2 activated (z amplifikacją MYC i nadekspresją FOXR2). Wskaźniki przeżycia 5-letniego różnią się istotnie między podgrupami: PB-miRNA2 osiąga 100%, PB-miRNA1 70%, PB-RB1 około 30%, a PB-MYC/FOXR2 jedynie 20%. Histopatologicznie guz składa się z gęsto upakowanych małych okrągłych komórek o wysokim stosunku jądrowo-cytoplazmatycznym, z częstą martwicą i wysokim wskaźnikiem mitotycznym.

Patogeneza szyszyniaka zarodkowego (Pineoblastoma)

Pineoblastoma jest rzadkim, agresywnym nowotworem mózgu wywodzącym się z szyszynki. Został sklasyfikowany przez Światową Organizację Zdrowia (WHO) jako nowotwór IV stopnia złośliwości, co odzwierciedla jego wysoki potencjał inwazyjny oraz tendencję do rozsiewu12. Jest to najmniej zróżnicowany nowotwór z grupy guzów miąższu szyszynki, z pineocytoma i guzem miąższu szyszynki o pośrednim zróżnicowaniu reprezentującymi lepiej zróżnicowane nowotwory w tym samym spektrum3. Pineoblastoma występuje głównie u dzieci i młodzieży, ze średnią wieku 6 lat, chociaż dokładny wiek zależy od podtypu molekularnego4.

Szlaki molekularne w patogenezie szyszyniaka zarodkowego

Dokładna przyczyna powstawania szyszyniaka zarodkowego pozostaje nie w pełni poznana, jednak badania wykazały, że powstaje on w wyniku kombinacji czynników genetycznych i komórkowych5. Najnowsze badania z wykorzystaniem profilowania DNA i metylacji pozwoliły zidentyfikować pięć podgrup molekularnych pineoblastoma, które charakteryzują się odrębnymi cechami kliniczno-patologicznymi6.

Nowotwór ten rozwija się z komórek pinealocytów lub ich prekursorów w szyszynce7. Badania sugerują, że zmiany w kodzie genetycznym (mutacje) mogą wpływać na nieprawidłowe funkcjonowanie tych komórek, prowadząc do niekontrolowanej proliferacji i rozwoju guza8. Dziecko może odziedziczyć te zmiany genetyczne od rodziców biologicznych (mutacja linii germinalnej) lub mogą one wystąpić spontanicznie po poczęciu (mutacje sporadyczne), bez historii zmian genetycznych w rodzinie9.

Zaburzenia przetwarzania mikroRNA

Jednym z kluczowych mechanizmów w patogenezie pineoblastoma jest dysregulacja mikroRNA. Badania wykazały, że guzy oznaczone jako grupa 1 i 2 prawie wyłącznie wykazują szkodliwe homozygotyczne utraty funkcji w genach biogenezy mikroRNA (DICER1, DROSHA i DGCR8), odpowiednio w 62% i 100% guzów z grupy 1 i 210.

Mutacje w genach przetwarzania mikroRNA, takich jak DICER1 i DROSHA, napędzają rozwój nowotworów, które przypominają komórki progenitorowe embrionalne11. Utrata tych genów prowadzi do zaburzenia produkcji mikroRNA, w szczególności rodziny let-7/miR-98-5p, oraz do derepresji genów docelowych mikroRNA12.

Wykazano, że mutacje w szlaku przetwarzania mikroRNA prawie wyłącznie występują w grupach 1 i 2 pineoblastoma i są związane z podwyższonym ryzykiem rozwoju tego nowotworu13. Badania na modelach zwierzęcych wykazały, że ablacja genów Drosha lub Dicer1 w rozwijającej się szyszynce naśladuje patogenezę pineoblastoma14.

Szlak RB1 w patogenezie pineoblastoma

Innym istotnym mechanizmem w patogenezie pineoblastoma są zaburzenia w szlaku supresorów nowotworowych, szczególnie RB1. Nawracające zmiany w onkogennym szlaku MYC-miR-17/92-RB1 zaobserwowano w podgrupach RB i MYC, które charakteryzują się odpowiednio utratą RB1 z zyskiem miR-17/92 oraz nawracającym zyskiem lub amplifikacją MYC15.

Mutacja w genie RB1 jest szeroko znanym czynnikiem ryzyka pineoblastoma u osób z siatkówczakiem, nowotworem oka16. Podgrupa PB zmieniona przez RB1 może być powiązana z mutacjami linii germinalnej RB117.

Guzy szyszynki wywołane utratą Drosha lub Dicer1 naśladują guzy wywołane utratą Rb1, ponieważ wykazują nadekspresję genów fazy S i czynników transkrypcyjnych homeobox, które regulują rozwój szyszynki18. Badania sugerują, że utrata Drosha i utrata Rb1 zbiegają się, aby napędzać powstawanie raka poprzez nakładające się efekty19.

Podgrupy molekularne pineoblastoma

Wykorzystując profilowanie metylacji DNA, zidentyfikowano cztery odrębne podgrupy pineoblastoma z charakterystycznymi zmianami genetycznymi20:

  • miRNA processing altered 1 – charakteryzująca się patogennym wariantem linii germinalnej w DICER1 lub wzajemnie wykluczającymi się mutacjami w DICER1, DROSHA i DGCR8. Występują tu zyski chromosomów 7 i 12 oraz utrata chromosomów 16 i 22q21.
  • miRNA processing altered 2 – charakteryzująca się patogennym wariantem linii germinalnej w DICER1 lub zmianami w DICER1 i DROSHA (utrata funkcji). Występuje tu utrata chromosomów 8, 14q, 16 i 2022.
  • RB1 altered – charakteryzująca się patogennym wariantem linii germinalnej w wariancie RB1 lub somatyczną zmianą RB1 lub zyskiem miR17/92. Występują tu zyski chromosomów 1q i 6p oraz utrata chromosomu 1623.
  • MYC/FOXR2 activated – charakteryzująca się nadekspresją FOXR2 lub amplifikacją MYC. Występują tu zyski 8q i utrata 16q24.

Nowsze badania zidentyfikowały piątą podgrupę molekularną, z całkowitą liczbą pięciu podgrup o różnych cechach kliniczno-patologicznych25.

Mutacje genetyczne i chromosomowe

Poza głównymi zmianami molekularnymi, w pineoblastoma zidentyfikowano również różne mutacje lub delecje w chromosomach 1, 9, 13, 16 i 22, które są związane z występowaniem tego nowotworu26.

Badania genomiczne ujawniły również rzadsze mutacje, takie jak obustronna inaktywacja PBRM1 jako potencjalny molekularny czynnik sprawczy w rzadkich przypadkach pineoblastoma27. PBRM1 odgrywa rolę w apoptozie komórkowej i odpowiedzi na stres, pośrednio zmniejszając reaktywne formy tlenu (ROS) i wspierając żywotność komórek. Utrata PBRM1 wydaje się napędzać wzrost komórek i niestabilność genomową28.

Innym odkryciem jest mikroduplikacja obejmująca region chromosomowy 1q21 zawierający PDE4DIP (miomegalinę), obejmujący starożytną domenę białkową DUF1220. Krytyczna rola DUF1220 w proliferacji neuroblastów podczas normalnego rozwoju embrionalnego mózgu sugeruje DUF1220 jako nowy onkogenny czynnik w pineoblastoma29.

Mechanizmy komórkowe w rozwoju pineoblastoma

Na poziomie komórkowym pineoblastoma składa się z ściśle upakowanych małych okrągłych niebieskich komórek o wysokim stosunku jądrowo-cytoplazmatycznym, co z kolei determinuje ich wygląd obrazowy30. Częste są obszary martwicy, a wskaźnik mitotyczny jest zwykle wysoki31.

Badania mikroskopowe wykazały gęsto komórkową proliferację niezróżnicowanych komórek nowotworowych, z rozrostem arkuszowym i małymi, okrągłymi niebieskimi komórkami z hiperchromat ycznymi jądrami, wysokim stosunkiem jądrowo-cytoplazmatycznym i nieostrymi granicami komórkowymi32.

Mechanizmy rozprzestrzeniania się choroby

Pineoblastoma ma znaczny potencjał rozsiewu oponowego i pozaczaszkowego33. Rozsiew guza następuje w wyniku wysiewu CSF z bezpośredniego rozszerzenia guza przez oponę miękką lub wyściółkę wyściółkową34.

Guzy te mają tendencję do naciekania przyległych struktur przez bezpośrednią inwazję i rozprzestrzeniania się przez krążenie płynu mózgowo-rdzeniowego (CSF)35. Wysiew CSF obserwuje się w 45% przypadków36.

Biologiczne czynniki prognostyczne

Wiek pacjenta, obecność przerzutów w momencie diagnozy oraz cechy molekularne guza są ważnymi czynnikami determinującymi przeżycie u pacjentów z pineoblastoma37. Młody wiek pacjenta, rozsiana choroba w momencie diagnozy i subtotalna resekcja chirurgiczna są ważnymi negatywnymi czynnikami prognostycznymi38.

Badania wskazują, że pacjenci z PB-miRNA2 mają najlepszy wskaźnik przeżycia 5-letniego (100%), podczas gdy pacjenci z PB-miRNA1 mają 70% wskaźnik przeżycia. Pacjenci z PB-MYC/FOXR2 mają najgorszy wskaźnik przeżycia 5-letniego, wynoszący około 20%, a pacjenci z PB-RB1 mają wskaźnik przeżycia 5-letniego wynoszący około 30%39.

Potencjalne cele terapeutyczne

Zrozumienie mechanizmów molekularnych pineoblastoma może prowadzić do opracowania ukierunkowanych terapii. Badania in silico przewidują, że trójcykliczne leki przeciwdepresyjne, takie jak nortryptylina, mogą być potencjalnymi terapeutykami dla modeli pineoblastoma. Nortryptylina zakłóca funkcjonowanie lizosomów, prowadząc do akumulacji niefunkcjonalnych autofagosomów, uwolnienia katepsyny B i śmierci komórek pineoblastoma40.

Ponadto blokowanie proliferacji guzów ułatwia ekspresję markerów dojrzewania pinealocytów, z jednoczesnym zmniejszeniem markerów embrionalnych41. Jednym z takich genów docelowych mikroRNA jest onkopłodowy czynnik transkrypcyjny Plagl2, który reguluje ekspresję genów sprzyjających wzrostowi, a hamowanie ich sygnalizacji osłabia wzrost guza42.

Badania wykazały również, że guzy napędzane utratą przetwarzania mikroRNA mogą być terapeutycznie ukierunkowane przez hamowanie dalszych czynników napędzających proliferację43. Nortryptylina działa synergistycznie z lekiem przeciwnowotworowym gemcytabiną, skutecznie hamując pineoblastoma in vivo44.

Podsumowanie

Pineoblastoma wykazuje znaczną heterogenność molekularną z podgrupami związanymi z fenotypami klinicznymi i przeżyciem45. Zrozumienie mechanizmów molekularnych leżących u podstaw patogenezy pineoblastoma może prowadzić do opracowania bardziej ukierunkowanych i skutecznych terapii dla tego rzadkiego, ale agresywnego nowotworu mózgu u dzieci.

Oprócz ujawnienia nowej biologii i terapii, podgrupy molekularne pineoblastoma mogą być wykorzystane do zmniejszenia intensywności leczenia u pacjentów z guzami o korzystnej biologii46. Badania wskazują, że pacjenci z pineoblastoma z grup 1-3 leczeni współczesnymi wielomodalnymi schematami mają od pośrednich do doskonałych wyników, ale podkreślają również krytyczne luki w leczeniu młodszych pacjentów z pineoblastoma, którzy są najbardziej podatni na toksyczność związaną z promieniowaniem47.

Badania genetyki pineoblastoma i molekularnych mechanizmów jego rozwoju są nadal w toku i mogą prowadzić do lepszego zrozumienia i leczenia tej rzadkiej, ale poważnej choroby48.

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  1. 10.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Malignant embryonal neoplasm of the pineal gland (CNS WHO grade 4) […] Pineoblastoma represents ~30 – 35% of all pineal parenchymal tumors […] Pineoblastoma typically arise in children / adolescents, with the overall median age of 6 years, depending on the molecular subtype […] Can be associated with DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome […] RB1 altered subgroup can be seen in association with germline RB1 mutations […] Young patient age, disseminated disease at diagnosis and subtotal surgical resection are important negative prognostic factors […] 4 distinct subgroups of pineoblastoma with peculiar genetic alterations have been identified using DNA methylation profiling […] miRNA processing altered 1, characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or mutually exclusive mutations in DICER1, DROSHA and DGCR8
  • #2 Pineoblastoma – Symptoms, Diagnosis, and TreatmentSecond Opinion IconGroup 9Second Opinion IconGroup 9Group 49
    https://www.barrowneuro.org/condition/pineoblastoma/
    Pineoblastomas are rare, aggressive brain tumors originating in the pineal gland, a small almond-shaped structure in the brain’s center. […] Pineoblastomas are a type of pineal tumor that develops from cells in the pineal gland. They are classified as grade 4 tumors because they’re unusually fast-growing and more likely to spread, or metastasize, to tissue or fluid around the brain. […] Recent advances in genetic and molecular profiling have identified four molecular subtypes of pineoblastomas in children, which include: RB1-Mutated, DICER1-Mutated, MYC/MYCN-Amplified, and MAPK Pathway-Related. […] The exact cause of pineoblastomas is poorly understood, but doctors think they stem from a combination of genetic and cellular factors. […] Pineoblastomas most often occur in children and are thought to relate to the developing brain and the presence of cells more susceptible to mutations or abnormal growth.
  • #3 Pineoblastoma | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org
    https://radiopaedia.org/articles/pineoblastoma?lang=us
    Pineoblastomas originate from pinealocytes and/or their precursors. […] Pineoblastomas are considered WHO grade 4 tumors. […] They are the least differentiated pineal cell tumors, with pineocytomas and pineal parenchymal tumor with intermediate differentiation representing better-differentiated tumors along the same spectrum. […] Pineoblastomas are composed of tightly packed small round blue cells (high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio) which in turn determines their imaging appearances. […] Areas of necrosis are frequently encountered. […] Mitotic rate is usually high. […] Immunophenotype is similar to other pineal parenchymal tumors. […] Pineoblastomas tend to be large poorly defined masses, with frequent CSF seeding at presentation. […] The solid component tends to be slightly hyperdense compared to the adjacent brain due to high cellularity.
  • #4 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Malignant embryonal neoplasm of the pineal gland (CNS WHO grade 4) […] Pineoblastoma represents ~30 – 35% of all pineal parenchymal tumors […] Pineoblastoma typically arise in children / adolescents, with the overall median age of 6 years, depending on the molecular subtype […] Can be associated with DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome […] RB1 altered subgroup can be seen in association with germline RB1 mutations […] Young patient age, disseminated disease at diagnosis and subtotal surgical resection are important negative prognostic factors […] 4 distinct subgroups of pineoblastoma with peculiar genetic alterations have been identified using DNA methylation profiling […] miRNA processing altered 1, characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or mutually exclusive mutations in DICER1, DROSHA and DGCR8
  • #5 Pineoblastoma – Symptoms, Diagnosis, and TreatmentSecond Opinion IconGroup 9Second Opinion IconGroup 9Group 49
    https://www.barrowneuro.org/condition/pineoblastoma/
    Pineoblastomas are rare, aggressive brain tumors originating in the pineal gland, a small almond-shaped structure in the brain’s center. […] Pineoblastomas are a type of pineal tumor that develops from cells in the pineal gland. They are classified as grade 4 tumors because they’re unusually fast-growing and more likely to spread, or metastasize, to tissue or fluid around the brain. […] Recent advances in genetic and molecular profiling have identified four molecular subtypes of pineoblastomas in children, which include: RB1-Mutated, DICER1-Mutated, MYC/MYCN-Amplified, and MAPK Pathway-Related. […] The exact cause of pineoblastomas is poorly understood, but doctors think they stem from a combination of genetic and cellular factors. […] Pineoblastomas most often occur in children and are thought to relate to the developing brain and the presence of cells more susceptible to mutations or abnormal growth.
  • #6 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    Pineoblastoma (PB) are rare, aggressive pediatric brain tumors of the pineal gland with modest overall survival despite intensive therapy. […] We used global DNA methylation profiling to define a core group of PB from 72/93 cases, which were delineated into five molecular subgroups. […] Tumors designated as group 1 and 2 almost exclusively exhibited deleterious homozygous loss of function alterations in miRNA biogenesis genes (DICER1, DROSHA, and DGCR8) in 62 and 100% of group 1 and 2 tumors respectively. […] Recurrent alterations of the oncogenic MYC-miR-17/92-RB1 pathway were observed in the RB and MYC subgroup, respectively characterized by RB1 loss with gain of miR-17/92, and recurrent gain or amplification of MYC. […] Our findings demonstrate that PB exhibit substantial molecular heterogeneity with sub-group associated clinical phenotypes and survival.
  • #7 Pineoblastoma | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org
    https://radiopaedia.org/articles/pineoblastoma?lang=us
    Pineoblastomas originate from pinealocytes and/or their precursors. […] Pineoblastomas are considered WHO grade 4 tumors. […] They are the least differentiated pineal cell tumors, with pineocytomas and pineal parenchymal tumor with intermediate differentiation representing better-differentiated tumors along the same spectrum. […] Pineoblastomas are composed of tightly packed small round blue cells (high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio) which in turn determines their imaging appearances. […] Areas of necrosis are frequently encountered. […] Mitotic rate is usually high. […] Immunophenotype is similar to other pineal parenchymal tumors. […] Pineoblastomas tend to be large poorly defined masses, with frequent CSF seeding at presentation. […] The solid component tends to be slightly hyperdense compared to the adjacent brain due to high cellularity.
  • #8 Pineoblastoma: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prognosis
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24950-pineoblastoma
    Pineoblastoma is a cancerous (malignant) brain tumor in your pineal gland. This type of cancer grows quickly and can spread to tissue and fluid around your brain. […] An overgrowth of pinealocyte cells, which are the cells within your brains pineal gland, causes pineoblastoma. Research suggests that a change to your genetic code (mutation) may influence these cells to function abnormally. A child can inherit genetic changes from their biological parents when the egg and sperm meet during conception (germline mutation). In contrast, these changes can happen randomly after conception (sporadically), without any history of the genetic change in a childs biological family.
  • #9 Pineoblastoma: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prognosis
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24950-pineoblastoma
    Pineoblastoma is a cancerous (malignant) brain tumor in your pineal gland. This type of cancer grows quickly and can spread to tissue and fluid around your brain. […] An overgrowth of pinealocyte cells, which are the cells within your brains pineal gland, causes pineoblastoma. Research suggests that a change to your genetic code (mutation) may influence these cells to function abnormally. A child can inherit genetic changes from their biological parents when the egg and sperm meet during conception (germline mutation). In contrast, these changes can happen randomly after conception (sporadically), without any history of the genetic change in a childs biological family.
  • #10 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    Pineoblastoma (PB) are rare, aggressive pediatric brain tumors of the pineal gland with modest overall survival despite intensive therapy. […] We used global DNA methylation profiling to define a core group of PB from 72/93 cases, which were delineated into five molecular subgroups. […] Tumors designated as group 1 and 2 almost exclusively exhibited deleterious homozygous loss of function alterations in miRNA biogenesis genes (DICER1, DROSHA, and DGCR8) in 62 and 100% of group 1 and 2 tumors respectively. […] Recurrent alterations of the oncogenic MYC-miR-17/92-RB1 pathway were observed in the RB and MYC subgroup, respectively characterized by RB1 loss with gain of miR-17/92, and recurrent gain or amplification of MYC. […] Our findings demonstrate that PB exhibit substantial molecular heterogeneity with sub-group associated clinical phenotypes and survival.
  • #11 An imbalance between proliferation and differentiation underlies the development of microRNA-defective pineoblastoma
    https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/early/2025/04/16/gad.352485.124
    Mutations in the microRNA processing genes DROSHA and DICER1 drive several cancers that resemble embryonic progenitors. […] To understand how microRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, we ablated Drosha or Dicer1 in the developing pineal gland to emulate the pathogenesis of pineoblastoma, a brain tumor that resembles undifferentiated precursors of the pineal gland. […] Accordingly, these mice develop pineal tumors marked by loss of microRNAs, particularly the let-7/miR-98-5p family, and derepression of microRNA target genes. […] Pineal tumors driven by loss of Drosha or Dicer1 mimic tumors driven by Rb1 loss, as they exhibit upregulation of S-phase genes and homeobox transcription factors that regulate pineal development. […] Blocking proliferation of these tumors facilitates expression of pinealocyte maturation markers, with a concomitant reduction in embryonic markers.
  • #12 An imbalance between proliferation and differentiation underlies the development of microRNA-defective pineoblastoma
    https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/early/2025/04/16/gad.352485.124
    Mutations in the microRNA processing genes DROSHA and DICER1 drive several cancers that resemble embryonic progenitors. […] To understand how microRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, we ablated Drosha or Dicer1 in the developing pineal gland to emulate the pathogenesis of pineoblastoma, a brain tumor that resembles undifferentiated precursors of the pineal gland. […] Accordingly, these mice develop pineal tumors marked by loss of microRNAs, particularly the let-7/miR-98-5p family, and derepression of microRNA target genes. […] Pineal tumors driven by loss of Drosha or Dicer1 mimic tumors driven by Rb1 loss, as they exhibit upregulation of S-phase genes and homeobox transcription factors that regulate pineal development. […] Blocking proliferation of these tumors facilitates expression of pinealocyte maturation markers, with a concomitant reduction in embryonic markers.
  • #13 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    In addition to revealing novel biology and therapeutics, molecular sub-grouping of PB can be exploited to reduce treatment intensity for patients with favorable biology tumors. […] Limited animal modeling data and clinical studies of heritable tri-lateral retinoblastoma suggest a role for RB1 and related tumor suppressor pathways in PB. […] Our data indicate age 3yrs, metastases at diagnosis and tumor molecular features as important determinants of survival in PB patients. […] We identified deleterious mutations in multiple components of the miRNA processing machinery almost exclusively in group 1 and 2 PBs. […] Our study indicates groups 1-3 PBs patients treated with contemporary multi-modality regimens have intermediate to excellent outcomes but also highlight critical treatment gaps for younger PB patients most susceptible to radiation-related toxicities.
  • #14 An imbalance between proliferation and differentiation underlies the development of microRNA-defective pineoblastoma | bioRxiv
    https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.23.590638v1
    Mutations in the microRNA processing genes DICER1 and DROSHA drive several cancers that resemble embryonic progenitors. To understand how microRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, we ablated Drosha or Dicer1 in the developing pineal gland to emulate the pathogenesis of pineoblastoma, a brain tumor that resembles undifferentiated precursors of the pineal gland. […] Accordingly, these mice develop pineal tumors marked by loss of microRNAs, including the let-7/miR-98-5p family, and de-repression of microRNA target genes. Pineal tumors driven by loss of Drosha or Dicer1 mimic tumors driven by Rb1 loss, as they exhibit upregulation of S-phase genes and homeobox transcription factors that regulate pineal development. […] Blocking proliferation of these tumors facilitates expression of pinealocyte maturation markers, with a concomitant reduction in embryonic markers. Select embryonic markers remain elevated, however, as the microRNAs that normally repress these target genes remain absent. One such microRNA target gene is the oncofetal transcription factor Plagl2, which regulates expression of pro-growth genes, and inhibiting their signaling impairs tumor growth. Thus, we demonstrate that tumors driven by loss of microRNA processing may be therapeutically targeted by inhibiting downstream drivers of proliferation.
  • #15 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    Pineoblastoma (PB) are rare, aggressive pediatric brain tumors of the pineal gland with modest overall survival despite intensive therapy. […] We used global DNA methylation profiling to define a core group of PB from 72/93 cases, which were delineated into five molecular subgroups. […] Tumors designated as group 1 and 2 almost exclusively exhibited deleterious homozygous loss of function alterations in miRNA biogenesis genes (DICER1, DROSHA, and DGCR8) in 62 and 100% of group 1 and 2 tumors respectively. […] Recurrent alterations of the oncogenic MYC-miR-17/92-RB1 pathway were observed in the RB and MYC subgroup, respectively characterized by RB1 loss with gain of miR-17/92, and recurrent gain or amplification of MYC. […] Our findings demonstrate that PB exhibit substantial molecular heterogeneity with sub-group associated clinical phenotypes and survival.
  • #16 Pineoblastoma – Symptoms, Diagnosis, and TreatmentSecond Opinion IconGroup 9Second Opinion IconGroup 9Group 49
    https://www.barrowneuro.org/condition/pineoblastoma/
    A mutation in the RB1 gene is a widely known risk factor for pineoblastomas in people with retinoblastoma, an eye cancer. […] A less common risk factor is a mutated DICER1 gene—a tumor protection gene that, when altered, can cause cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, leading to tumors. […] Pineoblastomas have no known environmental triggers, like radiation or chemical exposure, that contribute to their growth. Ongoing research continues to explore the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to the condition.
  • #17 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Malignant embryonal neoplasm of the pineal gland (CNS WHO grade 4) […] Pineoblastoma represents ~30 – 35% of all pineal parenchymal tumors […] Pineoblastoma typically arise in children / adolescents, with the overall median age of 6 years, depending on the molecular subtype […] Can be associated with DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome […] RB1 altered subgroup can be seen in association with germline RB1 mutations […] Young patient age, disseminated disease at diagnosis and subtotal surgical resection are important negative prognostic factors […] 4 distinct subgroups of pineoblastoma with peculiar genetic alterations have been identified using DNA methylation profiling […] miRNA processing altered 1, characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or mutually exclusive mutations in DICER1, DROSHA and DGCR8
  • #18 An imbalance between proliferation and differentiation underlies the development of microRNA-defective pineoblastoma
    https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/early/2025/04/16/gad.352485.124
    Mutations in the microRNA processing genes DROSHA and DICER1 drive several cancers that resemble embryonic progenitors. […] To understand how microRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, we ablated Drosha or Dicer1 in the developing pineal gland to emulate the pathogenesis of pineoblastoma, a brain tumor that resembles undifferentiated precursors of the pineal gland. […] Accordingly, these mice develop pineal tumors marked by loss of microRNAs, particularly the let-7/miR-98-5p family, and derepression of microRNA target genes. […] Pineal tumors driven by loss of Drosha or Dicer1 mimic tumors driven by Rb1 loss, as they exhibit upregulation of S-phase genes and homeobox transcription factors that regulate pineal development. […] Blocking proliferation of these tumors facilitates expression of pinealocyte maturation markers, with a concomitant reduction in embryonic markers.
  • #19 An imbalance between proliferation and differentiation underlies the development of microRNA-defective pineoblastoma | bioRxiv
    https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.23.590638v2.full
    These similarities in overall transcriptome, despite independent molecular mechanisms, suggests that Drosha loss and Rb1 loss converge to drive cancer formation through overlapping downstream effects. […] Together, these studies revealed Plagl2 and Ccnd2 as microRNA target genes driving IPDrosha tumors and small-molecule inhibitors of these effectors that can block tumor growth. […] Our results shed light on the cells from which pineoblastoma arise. […] Our findings recapitulate many of their findings, including incomplete penetrance and delayed onset compared with Rb1-driven tumors, suggesting that tumors from the two Cre drivers represent the same cell of origin. […] Our results suggest that removal of the microRNAs themselves could also contribute to overexpression of D-type cyclins and thus sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors. […] In this study, we identify two small molecules that impaired tumor proliferation by blocking signaling pathways normally regulated by microRNAs.
  • #20 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Malignant embryonal neoplasm of the pineal gland (CNS WHO grade 4) […] Pineoblastoma represents ~30 – 35% of all pineal parenchymal tumors […] Pineoblastoma typically arise in children / adolescents, with the overall median age of 6 years, depending on the molecular subtype […] Can be associated with DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome […] RB1 altered subgroup can be seen in association with germline RB1 mutations […] Young patient age, disseminated disease at diagnosis and subtotal surgical resection are important negative prognostic factors […] 4 distinct subgroups of pineoblastoma with peculiar genetic alterations have been identified using DNA methylation profiling […] miRNA processing altered 1, characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or mutually exclusive mutations in DICER1, DROSHA and DGCR8
  • #21 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Malignant embryonal neoplasm of the pineal gland (CNS WHO grade 4) […] Pineoblastoma represents ~30 – 35% of all pineal parenchymal tumors […] Pineoblastoma typically arise in children / adolescents, with the overall median age of 6 years, depending on the molecular subtype […] Can be associated with DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome […] RB1 altered subgroup can be seen in association with germline RB1 mutations […] Young patient age, disseminated disease at diagnosis and subtotal surgical resection are important negative prognostic factors […] 4 distinct subgroups of pineoblastoma with peculiar genetic alterations have been identified using DNA methylation profiling […] miRNA processing altered 1, characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or mutually exclusive mutations in DICER1, DROSHA and DGCR8
  • #22 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Gains of chromosomes 7 and 12, loss of chromosomes 16 and 22q […] miRNA processing altered 2 characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or alterations in DICER1 and DROSHA (loss of function) […] Loss of chromosomes 8, 14q, 16 and 20 […] RB1 altered characterized by germline pathogenic variant in RB1 variant or somatic RB1 alteration or gain of miR17 / 92 […] Gains of chromosomes 1q and 6p and loss of chromosome 16 […] MYC / FOXR2 activated characterized by FOXR2 overexpression or MYC amplification […] Gains of 8q and loss of 16q.
  • #23 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Gains of chromosomes 7 and 12, loss of chromosomes 16 and 22q […] miRNA processing altered 2 characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or alterations in DICER1 and DROSHA (loss of function) […] Loss of chromosomes 8, 14q, 16 and 20 […] RB1 altered characterized by germline pathogenic variant in RB1 variant or somatic RB1 alteration or gain of miR17 / 92 […] Gains of chromosomes 1q and 6p and loss of chromosome 16 […] MYC / FOXR2 activated characterized by FOXR2 overexpression or MYC amplification […] Gains of 8q and loss of 16q.
  • #24 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Gains of chromosomes 7 and 12, loss of chromosomes 16 and 22q […] miRNA processing altered 2 characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or alterations in DICER1 and DROSHA (loss of function) […] Loss of chromosomes 8, 14q, 16 and 20 […] RB1 altered characterized by germline pathogenic variant in RB1 variant or somatic RB1 alteration or gain of miR17 / 92 […] Gains of chromosomes 1q and 6p and loss of chromosome 16 […] MYC / FOXR2 activated characterized by FOXR2 overexpression or MYC amplification […] Gains of 8q and loss of 16q.
  • #25 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    Pineoblastoma (PB) are rare, aggressive pediatric brain tumors of the pineal gland with modest overall survival despite intensive therapy. […] We used global DNA methylation profiling to define a core group of PB from 72/93 cases, which were delineated into five molecular subgroups. […] Tumors designated as group 1 and 2 almost exclusively exhibited deleterious homozygous loss of function alterations in miRNA biogenesis genes (DICER1, DROSHA, and DGCR8) in 62 and 100% of group 1 and 2 tumors respectively. […] Recurrent alterations of the oncogenic MYC-miR-17/92-RB1 pathway were observed in the RB and MYC subgroup, respectively characterized by RB1 loss with gain of miR-17/92, and recurrent gain or amplification of MYC. […] Our findings demonstrate that PB exhibit substantial molecular heterogeneity with sub-group associated clinical phenotypes and survival.
  • #26 Pineoblastoma – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineoblastoma
    Pineoblastoma is a malignant tumor of the pineal gland. A pineoblastoma is a supratentorial midline primitive neuroectodermal tumor. […] Pineoblastomas arise from embryonal cells in the pineal gland and are rapidly growing. They are considered grade 4 tumors, meaning they are malignant and may metastasize. […] The exact cause of pineoblastoma is unknown. MicroRNA dysregulation has been found to be associated with many cases of pineoblastoma, specifically, mutations in DICER1 and DROSHA genes. DICER1 germline mutations cause a tumor predisposition syndrome, and should be considered in patients with pineoblastoma. […] Additionally, various mutations or deletions in chromosomes 1, 9, 13, 16 and 22 have been associated with pineoblastoma incidence.
  • #27 Biallelic inactivation of PBRM1 as a molecular driver in a rare pineoblastoma case: illustrative case in: Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 3 Issue 14 (2022) Journals
    https://thejns.org/caselessons/view/journals/j-neurosurg-case-lessons/3/14/article-CASE2213.xml
    Pineoblastomas are a rare and aggressive pediatric neuroectodermal tumor subtype. Because of their rarity, pineoblastomas are still poorly understood, and there is little research delineating their molecular development and underlying genetic phenotype. Recent multiomic studies in pineoblastomas and pineal parenchymal tumors identified four clinically and biologically relevant consensus groups driven by signaling/processing pathways; however, molecular level alterations leading to these pathway changes are yet to be discovered, hence the importance of individually profiling every case of this rare tumor type. […] The authors present the comprehensive somatic genomic profiling of a patient with pineoblastoma presenting with the loss of protein polybromo-1 (PBRM1) as a candidate genomic driver. Loss of PBRM1, a tumor suppressor, has been reported as a driver event in various cancer types, including renal cell carcinoma, bladder carcinoma, and meningiomas with papillary features.
  • #28 Biallelic inactivation of PBRM1 as a molecular driver in a rare pineoblastoma case: illustrative case in: Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons Volume 3 Issue 14 (2022) Journals
    https://thejns.org/caselessons/view/journals/j-neurosurg-case-lessons/3/14/article-CASE2213.xml
    This is the first report presenting biallelic loss of PBRM1 as a candidate molecular driver in relation to pineoblastoma. […] Given the rarity of pediatric pineoblastomas, genomic profiling of every case plays an essential role in improving the understanding of molecular mechanisms behind this aggressive tumor type. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a PBRM1 biallelic loss in a pineoblastoma case. […] Our integrative genomic analysis remarkably revealed an inframe deletion on PBRM1 (NM_001350075:p.787_789del), combined with a focal deletion and LOH on chr3p21, overlapping with the PBRM1 locus. Indeed, the variant allele frequency of the inframe deletion was identified as 94.9%, confirming that the deleted copy was the wild-type copy. PBRM1 has been described to play a role in cellular apoptosis and stress response, such that it indirectly decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and supports cellular viability. Loss of PBRM1 appears to drive cell growth and genomic instability, and alterations of PBRM1 have been previously described in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as well as in a subset of papillary RCC, bladder carcinoma, and meningioma with papillary features.
  • #29 Recurrent homozygous deletion of DROSHA and microduplication of PDE4DIP in pineoblastoma | Nature Communications
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-05029-3
    This suggests that PB may be predominantly driven by recurrent copy-number alterations rather than mutations, although further genetic studies with paired tumor-normal are needed. […] Lastly, we identified a novel microduplication of PDE4DIP leading to upregulation of DUF1220 protein. The critical role of DUF1220 in proliferation of neuroblasts during normal embryonal brain development suggests DUF1220 as a novel oncogenic driver in PB.
  • #30 Pineoblastoma | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org
    https://radiopaedia.org/articles/pineoblastoma?lang=us
    Pineoblastomas originate from pinealocytes and/or their precursors. […] Pineoblastomas are considered WHO grade 4 tumors. […] They are the least differentiated pineal cell tumors, with pineocytomas and pineal parenchymal tumor with intermediate differentiation representing better-differentiated tumors along the same spectrum. […] Pineoblastomas are composed of tightly packed small round blue cells (high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio) which in turn determines their imaging appearances. […] Areas of necrosis are frequently encountered. […] Mitotic rate is usually high. […] Immunophenotype is similar to other pineal parenchymal tumors. […] Pineoblastomas tend to be large poorly defined masses, with frequent CSF seeding at presentation. […] The solid component tends to be slightly hyperdense compared to the adjacent brain due to high cellularity.
  • #31 Pineoblastoma | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org
    https://radiopaedia.org/articles/pineoblastoma?lang=us
    Pineoblastomas originate from pinealocytes and/or their precursors. […] Pineoblastomas are considered WHO grade 4 tumors. […] They are the least differentiated pineal cell tumors, with pineocytomas and pineal parenchymal tumor with intermediate differentiation representing better-differentiated tumors along the same spectrum. […] Pineoblastomas are composed of tightly packed small round blue cells (high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio) which in turn determines their imaging appearances. […] Areas of necrosis are frequently encountered. […] Mitotic rate is usually high. […] Immunophenotype is similar to other pineal parenchymal tumors. […] Pineoblastomas tend to be large poorly defined masses, with frequent CSF seeding at presentation. […] The solid component tends to be slightly hyperdense compared to the adjacent brain due to high cellularity.
  • #32 Pediatric Pineoblastoma | Applied Radiology
    https://appliedradiology.com/articles/pediatric-pineoblastoma
    Microscopic examination demonstrated a densely cellular proliferation of undifferentiated neoplastic cells, with sheet-like growth and small, round blue cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, and indistinct cell borders. […] Highly malignant and aggressive, pineoblastomas are considered primary neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the pineal region. […] Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) is the modality of choice for diagnosing pineoblastomas; computed tomography (CT) cannot differentiate between (PPT) and (GCT). […] Given the diseases predilection to spread along the neuroaxis, MRI of the brain and spine with and without contrast is important for disease recognition and quantification, and is therefore recommended. […] Clinical manifestations of pineoblastomas are similar to those of other pineal tumors.
  • #33 Adult Pineoblastoma: A Rare Case Report
    https://www.neurologyletters.com/article_200592.html
    Pineoblastoma (PB) is a rare brain tumor considered as a variant of supra-tentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor. […] Pineoblastomas are rare primitive neuroectodermal tumors that are aggressive, found mostly in children, and exceedingly rare in adults. […] For their clinical behavior and embryonal histology, PBs are often grouped together with medulloblastomas in clinical trials. […] The Pineoblastoma has significant potential for leptomeningeal and extra-cranial dissemination; hence maximum surgical resection with adjuvant craniospinal radiotherapy aids in controlling the tumor and improving survival. […] Histopathology of Pineoblastoma is not distinctive, as they are composed of sheets of poorly differentiated embryonal neoplastic cells. […] According to WHO Classification of CNS Tumors 2021, essential diagnostic criteria for pineoblastoma include 1) histopathological features of an embryonal tumor 20 High proliferative /mitotic activity AND 3) Pineal region location.
  • #34 Leptomeningeal metastases in pineoblastoma | BMJ Case Reports
    https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2015/bcr-2015-210343
    Pineoblastoma is one of the pineal parenchymal tumours, which are rare tumours and account for approximately 15% of all tumours found in the pineal region. They are malignant tumours that infiltrate the adjacent structures by direct invasion and tend to spread through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation. […] Tumour spread occurs as a result of CSF seeding from direct extension of the tumour through the pia or ependymal lining. […] Gadolinium diethyle netriamine penta acetic contrast-enhanced MRI has a high detection rate for leptomeningeal metastases compared to non-contrast MRI.
  • #35 Leptomeningeal metastases in pineoblastoma | BMJ Case Reports
    https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2015/bcr-2015-210343
    Pineoblastoma is one of the pineal parenchymal tumours, which are rare tumours and account for approximately 15% of all tumours found in the pineal region. They are malignant tumours that infiltrate the adjacent structures by direct invasion and tend to spread through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation. […] Tumour spread occurs as a result of CSF seeding from direct extension of the tumour through the pia or ependymal lining. […] Gadolinium diethyle netriamine penta acetic contrast-enhanced MRI has a high detection rate for leptomeningeal metastases compared to non-contrast MRI.
  • #36 Pineoblastoma | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org
    https://radiopaedia.org/articles/pineoblastoma?lang=us
    Classically, they are described as having peripherally dispersed or „exploded” calcification, similar to pineocytomas. […] Pineoblastomas tend to appear as sizable (4 cm) irregular masses often with evidence of invasion into the adjacent brain. […] Screening of the whole neural axis is necessary as CSF seeding is seen in 45% of cases.
  • #37 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    In addition to revealing novel biology and therapeutics, molecular sub-grouping of PB can be exploited to reduce treatment intensity for patients with favorable biology tumors. […] Limited animal modeling data and clinical studies of heritable tri-lateral retinoblastoma suggest a role for RB1 and related tumor suppressor pathways in PB. […] Our data indicate age 3yrs, metastases at diagnosis and tumor molecular features as important determinants of survival in PB patients. […] We identified deleterious mutations in multiple components of the miRNA processing machinery almost exclusively in group 1 and 2 PBs. […] Our study indicates groups 1-3 PBs patients treated with contemporary multi-modality regimens have intermediate to excellent outcomes but also highlight critical treatment gaps for younger PB patients most susceptible to radiation-related toxicities.
  • #38 Pathology Outlines – Pineoblastoma
    https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnstumorpineoblastoma.html
    Malignant embryonal neoplasm of the pineal gland (CNS WHO grade 4) […] Pineoblastoma represents ~30 – 35% of all pineal parenchymal tumors […] Pineoblastoma typically arise in children / adolescents, with the overall median age of 6 years, depending on the molecular subtype […] Can be associated with DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome […] RB1 altered subgroup can be seen in association with germline RB1 mutations […] Young patient age, disseminated disease at diagnosis and subtotal surgical resection are important negative prognostic factors […] 4 distinct subgroups of pineoblastoma with peculiar genetic alterations have been identified using DNA methylation profiling […] miRNA processing altered 1, characterized by pathogenic germline variant in DICER1 or mutually exclusive mutations in DICER1, DROSHA and DGCR8
  • #39 Childhood Medulloblastoma and Other CNS Embryonal Tumors (PDQ®) – NCI
    https://www.cancer.gov/types/brain/hp/child-cns-embryonal-treatment-pdq
    Pineoblastoma is associated with germline pathogenic variants in both the RB1 gene and the DICER1 gene. Pineoblastoma is associated with germline pathogenic variants in RB1. The term trilateral retinoblastoma is used to refer to ocular retinoblastoma in combination with a histologically similar brain tumor generally arising in the pineal gland or other midline structures. […] Germline DICER1 pathogenic variants occur in some patients with pineoblastoma. […] A retrospective, international meta-analysis included 221 children and adults diagnosed with pineoblastoma and pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate differentiation. The evaluation identified four molecular groups of pineoblastoma based on DNA methylation, transcriptome profiling, and gene sequencing. […] The 5-year survival rate for patients with PB-miRNA2 (100%) exceeded that for patients with PB-miRNA1 (70%).
  • #40 Modeling germline mutations in pineoblastoma uncovers lysosome disruption-based therapy | Nature Communications
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-15585-2
    Pineoblastoma is a rare pediatric cancer induced by germline mutations in the tumor suppressors RB1 or DICER1. […] A stabilizing mutation rather than deletion of p53 accelerates metastatic dissemination. […] Deletion of Dicer1 plus p53 via WAP-Cre also predisposes to pineoblastoma, albeit with lower penetrance. […] In silico analysis predicts tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline as potential therapeutics for both pineoblastoma models. Nortriptyline disrupts the lysosome, leading to accumulation of non-functional autophagosome, cathepsin B release and pineoblastoma cell death. […] Disruption of Dicer1 plus p53 also induces PB, though with longer latency and reduced penetrance as observed in children. […] Our results model the two most common germline mutations, RB1 and DICER1, that predispose children to PB, and uncover a new therapeutic avenue for this devastating disease.
  • #41 An imbalance between proliferation and differentiation underlies the development of microRNA-defective pineoblastoma
    https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/early/2025/04/16/gad.352485.124
    Mutations in the microRNA processing genes DROSHA and DICER1 drive several cancers that resemble embryonic progenitors. […] To understand how microRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, we ablated Drosha or Dicer1 in the developing pineal gland to emulate the pathogenesis of pineoblastoma, a brain tumor that resembles undifferentiated precursors of the pineal gland. […] Accordingly, these mice develop pineal tumors marked by loss of microRNAs, particularly the let-7/miR-98-5p family, and derepression of microRNA target genes. […] Pineal tumors driven by loss of Drosha or Dicer1 mimic tumors driven by Rb1 loss, as they exhibit upregulation of S-phase genes and homeobox transcription factors that regulate pineal development. […] Blocking proliferation of these tumors facilitates expression of pinealocyte maturation markers, with a concomitant reduction in embryonic markers.
  • #42 An imbalance between proliferation and differentiation underlies the development of microRNA-defective pineoblastoma
    https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/early/2025/04/16/gad.352485.124
    Select embryonic markers remain elevated, however, as the microRNAs that normally repress these target genes remain absent. […] One such microRNA target gene is the oncofetal transcription factor Plagl2, which regulates expression of progrowth genes, and inhibiting their signaling impairs tumor growth. […] Thus, we demonstrate that tumors driven by loss of microRNA processing may be therapeutically targeted by inhibiting downstream drivers of proliferation.
  • #43 Science Cast
    https://sciencecast.org/casts/s03dtojqa618
    An imbalance between proliferation and differentiation underlies the development of microRNA-defective pineoblastoma. Mutations in the microRNA processing genes DICER1 and DROSHA drive several cancers that resemble embryonic progenitors. To understand how microRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, we ablated Drosha or Dicer1 in the developing pineal gland to emulate the pathogenesis of pineoblastoma, a brain tumor that resembles undifferentiated precursors of the pineal gland. […] Pineal tumors driven by loss of Drosha or Dicer1 mimic tumors driven by Rb1 loss, as they exhibit upregulation of S-phase genes and homeobox transcription factors that regulate pineal development. […] Thus, we demonstrate that tumors driven by loss of microRNA processing may be therapeutically targeted by inhibiting downstream drivers of proliferation.
  • #44 Modeling germline mutations in pineoblastoma uncovers lysosome disruption-based therapy | Nature Communications
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-15585-2
    Combined deletion of Rb plus p53 via WAP-Cre induces metastatic PB with 100% penetrance and features of human PB. […] NOR disrupts the lysosome, leading to inhibition of autophagic flux, cathepsin release and the demise of both mouse and human PB cells. […] NOR further synergizes with the antineoplastic drug gemcitabine to effectively suppress PB in vivo. […] NOR acts as a CAD to inhibit autophagy. […] NOR disrupts the lysosome, leading to proton and cathepsin B release, and accumulation of enlarged, non-functional autolysosomes, leading primarily to non-apoptotic cell death.
  • #45 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    Pineoblastoma (PB) are rare, aggressive pediatric brain tumors of the pineal gland with modest overall survival despite intensive therapy. […] We used global DNA methylation profiling to define a core group of PB from 72/93 cases, which were delineated into five molecular subgroups. […] Tumors designated as group 1 and 2 almost exclusively exhibited deleterious homozygous loss of function alterations in miRNA biogenesis genes (DICER1, DROSHA, and DGCR8) in 62 and 100% of group 1 and 2 tumors respectively. […] Recurrent alterations of the oncogenic MYC-miR-17/92-RB1 pathway were observed in the RB and MYC subgroup, respectively characterized by RB1 loss with gain of miR-17/92, and recurrent gain or amplification of MYC. […] Our findings demonstrate that PB exhibit substantial molecular heterogeneity with sub-group associated clinical phenotypes and survival.
  • #46 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    In addition to revealing novel biology and therapeutics, molecular sub-grouping of PB can be exploited to reduce treatment intensity for patients with favorable biology tumors. […] Limited animal modeling data and clinical studies of heritable tri-lateral retinoblastoma suggest a role for RB1 and related tumor suppressor pathways in PB. […] Our data indicate age 3yrs, metastases at diagnosis and tumor molecular features as important determinants of survival in PB patients. […] We identified deleterious mutations in multiple components of the miRNA processing machinery almost exclusively in group 1 and 2 PBs. […] Our study indicates groups 1-3 PBs patients treated with contemporary multi-modality regimens have intermediate to excellent outcomes but also highlight critical treatment gaps for younger PB patients most susceptible to radiation-related toxicities.
  • #47 Pineoblastoma segregates into molecular sub-groups with distinct clinicopathologic features: A Rare Brain Tumor Consortium registry study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7673644/
    In addition to revealing novel biology and therapeutics, molecular sub-grouping of PB can be exploited to reduce treatment intensity for patients with favorable biology tumors. […] Limited animal modeling data and clinical studies of heritable tri-lateral retinoblastoma suggest a role for RB1 and related tumor suppressor pathways in PB. […] Our data indicate age 3yrs, metastases at diagnosis and tumor molecular features as important determinants of survival in PB patients. […] We identified deleterious mutations in multiple components of the miRNA processing machinery almost exclusively in group 1 and 2 PBs. […] Our study indicates groups 1-3 PBs patients treated with contemporary multi-modality regimens have intermediate to excellent outcomes but also highlight critical treatment gaps for younger PB patients most susceptible to radiation-related toxicities.
  • #48 Pineoblastoma Overview | Expert Surgeon | Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD | Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD
    https://www.aaroncohen-gadol.com/en/patients/pineoblastoma/types/overview
    Tumor histology, genetic markers, and molecular characteristics can also provide important prognostic information that guides treatment decisions. […] Emerging therapies and improved surgical techniques have led to more favorable outcomes for many patients, and ongoing research continues to test new ways to improve survival rates and life expectancy. Advances in our understanding of cell biology have allowed for the development of personalized treatment approaches, helping clinicians tailor therapies to the specific characteristics of a patients tumor. […] Ongoing research is vital to understanding and treating pineoblastoma. Scientists are investigating new drugs, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies that may offer more effective ways to treat the tumor with fewer negative side effects. […] Additionally, advances in genetic research could lead to more personalized therapies that are tailored to the specific molecular profile of each patients tumor.