IMMUNE CHECKPOINTS AND 
MEDULLOBLASTOMA

ABSTRACT


Medulloblastomas and CNS embryonal tumours are highly malignant brain tumours that predominantly occur in young infants. Current standard therapy includes surgery followed by irradiation and chemotherapy. However, these tumours often relapse and appropriate treatment for these relapsed tumours is a huge clinical problem. Immunotherapy to boost the immune system is emerging as a novel promising approach in clinical trials. However, immunotherapy is often hampered by inhibitory immune receptors (immune checkpoints) on both immune cells and the tumour. Targeting and relief of this immune-inhibitory break currently is a promising new therapeutic approach in many cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer. The expression profile of immune checkpoints in paediatric human CNS embryonal tumours and medulloblastomas currently remains unknown.