Toward Understanding the Mechanisms of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Development

Abstract

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) originate from the neural crest lineage and are associated with the neurofibromatosis type I syndrome. MPNST is an unmet clinical need. In this review article, we summarize the knowledge and discuss research perspectives related to (1) the natural history of MPNST development; (2) the mouse models recapitulating the progression from precursor lesions to MPNST; (3) the role of the tumor microenvironment in MPNST development, and (4) the signaling pathways linked to MPNST development.

Keywords

• neurofibromatosis type I
• malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor
• neurofibroma
• mouse models
• tumor microenvironment