Comparative Brain Tumor Consortium

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The Comparative Oncology Program (COP) continues to promote and support extramural efforts in comparative brain tumor research through this collaborative infrastructure. Our most recent success in this project is the publication of a canine meningioma dataset that clearly defines 3 subtypes with direct translational relevance to humans. This project was conducted in collaboration with UCSF researcher David Raleigh, veterinarians at the University of CA-Davis, and NIH/NCATS researcher Greg Tawa. Zakimi N, Mazcko CN, Toedebusch C, Tawa G, Woolard K, LeBlanc AK, Dickinson PJ, Raleigh DR. Canine meningiomas are comprised of 3 DNA methylation groups that resemble the molecular characteristics of human meningiomas. Acta Neuropathol. 2024 Feb 20;147(1):43. doi: 10.1007/s00401-024-02693-2. PMID: 38376604; PMCID: PMC10879255. We also recently published a white paper of comparative tumor boards based mainly on the experience of our group leading 3 such boards, 2 of which were conducted in canine brain tumors (glioma and meningioma). This publication is listed here, and serves as a roadmap for other groups interested in pursuing similar endeavors in other canine tumor types. Beck JA, Mazcko C, Belluco S, Bitar M, Brat D, Bush JW, Chkheidze R, Corps KN, Frank C, Giannini C, Horbinski C, Huse JT, Koehler JW, Miller AD, Miller CR, O'Sullivan MG, Phillips JJ, Rissi DR, Schott CR, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Yip S, LeBlanc AK. Comparative pathology boards facilitate the translation of knowledge between canine and human cancer patients. Brain Pathol. 2025 May 5:e70013. doi: 10.1111/bpa.70013. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40325876.