A first-generation pediatric cancer dependency map

A pediatric cancer dependency map generated with genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens in 82 pediatric cancer cell lines highlights genetic dependencies across a range of tumor types. Exciting therapeutic targets are emerging from CRISPR-based screens of high mutational-burden adult cancers. A key question, however, is whether functional genomic approaches will yield new targets in pediatric cancers, known for remarkably few mutations, which often encode proteins considered challenging drug targets. To address this, we created a first-generation pediatric cancer dependency map representing 13 pediatric solid and brain tumor types. Eighty-two pediatric cancer cell lines were subjected to genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screening to identify genes required for cell survival. In contrast to the finding that pediatric cancers harbor fewer somatic mutations, we found a similar complexity of genetic dependencies in pediatric cancer cell lines compared to that in adult models. Findings from the pediatric cancer dependency map provide preclinical support for ongoing precision medicine clinical trials. The vulnerabilities observed in pediatric cancers were often distinct from those in adult cancer, indicating that repurposing adult oncology drugs will be insufficient to address childhood cancers.

Automated summary

A pediatric cancer dependency map was created using genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens in 82 pediatric cancer cell lines, revealing genetic dependencies across various tumor types. Contrary to the belief that pediatric cancers have fewer mutations, it was found that genetic dependencies in pediatric cancer cell lines are similarly complex as in adult models, indicating new therapeutic targets for childhood cancers.