The comparable tumour microenvironment in sporadic and <i>NF2</i>-related schwannomatosis vestibular schwannoma

Abstract Bilateral vestibular schwannoma is the hallmark of NF2-related schwannomatosis, a rare tumour predisposition syndrome associated with lifetime surgical interventions, radiotherapy and off-label use anti-angiogenic drug bevacizumab. Unilateral develops sporadically in non-NF2-related schwannomatosis patients for which there are no treatment options available. Tumour-infiltrating immune cells such as macrophages T-cells correlate increased growth, suggested to be similar sporadic tumours. However, differences between more common disease include presenting an number tumours, multiple types younger age at diagnosis. A comparison microenvironment tumours therefore required underpin development immunotherapeutic targets, identify possibility extrapolating ex vivo data from help inform clinical trial design feasibility co-recruiting patients. This study drew together bulk transcriptomic three published Affymetrix microarray datasets compare gene expression profiles subsequently deconvolved predict abundances distinct populations. Data were validated using quantitative PCR Hyperion imaging mass cytometry. Comparative bioinformatic analyses revealed close similarities across datasets. Significant inflammatory markers signalling pathways closely matched schwannoma, relating proliferation macrophages, angiogenesis inflammation. Bulk cytometry identified most abundant population comprising one-third cell both Importantly, robust significant pathways, expression, type abundance or staining schwannoma. These indicate strong