High human cytomegalovirus antigen expression in pediatric medulloblastoma tissue is associated with poor event-free survival.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite advancements in treatment, 5-year survival for medulloblastoma (MB) remains 60%-70%. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been implicated as an oncomodulator in MB, but its impact on survival has not been explored. This study evaluates HCMV expression in pediatric MB tissue and its association with molecular risk groups and survival.

Methods

A retrospective study of pediatric MB cases (≤19 years) from 2007 to 2023 was conducted using the WHO 2021 classification, the Northcott brain-tumor classifier, and the SIOP-Europe/ERN PaedCan risk stratification. HCMV immediate-early (HCMV-IE) and late-antigen (HCMV-LA) expression were assessed by optimized immunohistochemistry, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 20 tumors were analyzed for viral gene expression.

SUBMITTER: De la Cerda-Vargas MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12932949 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature