Investigation of BRAF fusion genes as a therapeutic target in pilocytic astrocytoma

Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are the most common pediatric brain tumors. Despite the benign clinical behavior reported for PA, treatment of tumors in critical anatomic locations remains challenging, since tumors often respond to conventional chemo and radiationtherapy poorly. BRAF fusion genes, rendering the MAPK pathway constitutively active, were shown to comprise a hallmark genetic event in PA thus suggesting a promising tumor-specific therapeutic target. This study aims at the in vivo and in vitro investigation of the pathogenic and therapeutic relevance of BRAF fusion genes in PA. To model sporadic PA tumor…