Arthur C, Georgantzi K, de Ståhl TD, Guan J, Oder B, Jylhä C, Illies C, Sandgren J, Svoboda J, Eisfeldt J, Barbany G, Rosenquist R, Sandvik U, Hägerstrand D, Hallberg B, Palmer R, Tham E
NPJ Precis Oncol 10 (1) - [2026-02-26; online 2026-02-26]
We report a child with an antenatally detected brain tumor that progressed over three years' time despite surgery, chemo- and proton therapy. Retrospective whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing with methylation analysis of primary tumor tissue led to the molecular diagnosis infant-type hemispheric glioma, and identified a novel SNRNP70::ALK fusion, providing a therapeutic target for compassionate-use precision treatment with the ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor lorlatinib. Functional studies confirmed the fusion protein to be expressed and active in the patient's tumor. After two years of therapy, the child has sustained partial tumor regression on MRI and no new neurological symptoms. We conclude that comprehensive multi-omics analyses are required for correct molecular diagnosis in childhood CNS tumors and can radically impact patient outcome by identifying molecular targets for precision treatment.
NGI Stockholm (Genomics Production) [Service]
National Genomics Infrastructure [Service]
PubMed 41748687
DOI 10.1038/s41698-026-01336-x
Crossref 10.1038/s41698-026-01336-x
pmc: PMC12996540
pii: 10.1038/s41698-026-01336-x