Multiomic Analyses Reveal New Targets of Polycomb Repressor Complex 2 in Schwann Lineage Cells and Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are cancers that affect the protective covering of nerves. In these cancers, a protein complex called PRC2, which is important for normal cell behavior, is often absent. The authors of this study wanted to figure out how the loss of the PRC2 may cause tumors to grow. To do this, they studied normal cells that cover nerves that lack PRC2 and compared them with MPNSTs. Their results showed that losing PRC2 changes many genes, including some that are linked to cancer development. Two important pathways, called Notch and SHH, were found to play a key role. Blocking these pathways helped slow down tumor growth.