biostudies-literatureRoundhill EAEwing Sarcoma Research TrustBone Cancer Research TrustFaculty of Medicine and Health, University of LeedsFP71065-1085https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8516792biostudies-literatureUnknown44(5)<h4>Purpose</h4>The development of biomarkers and molecularly targeted therapies for patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) in order to minimise morbidity and improve outcome is urgently needed. Here, we set out to isolate and characterise patient-derived ES primary cell cultures and daughter cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) to identify biomarkers of high-risk disease and candidate therapeutic targets.<h4>Methods</h4>Thirty-two patient-derived primary cultures were established from treatment-naïve tumours and primary ES-CSCs isolated from these cultures using functional methods. By RNA-sequencing we analysed the transcriptome of ES patient-derived cells (n = 24) and ES-CSCs (n = 11) to identify the most abundant and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Expression of the top DEG(s) in ES-CSCs compCellular oncology (Dordrecht, Netherlands)RNA sequencing and functional studies of patient-derived cells reveal that neurexin-1 and regulators of this pathway are associated with poor outcomes in Ewing sarcoma.PMC8516792602856Parry MDroop ABurchill SAChicon-Bosch MRoundhill EARankin KSJeys LfalseRNA sequencing and functional studies of patient-derived cells reveal that neurexin-1 and regulators of this pathway are associated with poor outcomes in Ewing sarcoma.<h4>Purpose</h4>The development of biomarkers and molecularly targeted therapies for patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) in order to minimise morbidity and improve outcome is urgently needed. Here, we set out to isolate and characterise patient-derived ES primary cell cultures and daughter cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) to identify biomarkers of high-risk disease and candidate therapeutic targets.<h4>Methods</h4>Thirty-two patient-derived primary cultures were established from treatment-naïve tumours and primary ES-CSCs isolated from these cultures using functional methods. By RNA-sequencing we analysed the transcriptome of ES patient-derived cells (n = 24) and ES-CSCs (n = 11) to identify the most abundant and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Expression of the top DEG(s) in ES-CSCs comp2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Oct2026-05-08T07:22:16.005Z2022-02-11T12:21:41.017ZS-EPMC85167923440311510.1007/s13402-021-00619-8