Transition to a mesenchymal state in neuroblastoma may be characterized by a high expression of GD2 and by the acquisition of immune escape from NK cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neuroblastoma (NB) is characterized by both adrenergic (ADRN) and undifferentiated mesenchymal (MES) subsets. The ganglioside sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipid (GD2) is widely overexpressed on tumors of neuroectodermal origin promoting malignant phenotypes. MES cells are greatly enriched in post-therapy and relapsing tumors and are characterized by decreased expression of GD2. This event may cause failure of GD2-based immunotherapy. NK cells represent a key innate cell subset able to efficiently kill tumors. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) that includes tumor cells and tumor-associated (TA) cells could inhibit their effector function.

Methods

We studied eight NB primary cultures that, in comparison with commercial cell lines, more faithfully refle

SUBMITTER: Di Matteo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11082345 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature