Targeting cancer stem cells in medulloblastoma by inhibiting AMBRA1 dual function in autophagy and STAT3 signalling

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a childhood malignant brain tumour comprising four main subgroups characterized by different genetic alterations and rate of mortality. Among MB subgroups, patients with enhanced levels of the c-MYC oncogene (MBGroup3) have the poorest prognosis. Here we identify a previously unrecognized role of the pro-autophagy factor AMBRA1 in regulating MB. We demonstrate that AMBRA1 expression depends on c-MYC levels and correlates with Group 3 patient poor prognosis; also, knockdown of AMBRA1 reduces MB stem potential, growth and migration of MBGroup3 stem cells. At a molecular level, AMBRA1 mediates these effects by suppressing SOCS3, an inhibitor of STAT3 activation. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy profoundly affects both stem and invasion potential of MBGroup3 stem cells, and a combined anti-autophagy and anti-STAT3 approach impacts the MBGroup3 outcome. Taken together, our data support the c-MYC/AMBRA1/STAT3 axis as a strong oncogenic signalling pathway with significance for both patient stratification strategies and targeted treatments of MBGroup3.

Automated summary

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a childhood malignant brain tumor with four main subgroups, among which patients with enhanced levels of the c-MYC oncogene (MBGroup3) have the poorest prognosis. Research has identified a previously unrecognized role of the pro-autophagy factor AMBRA1 in regulating MB, with its expression being dependent on c-MYC levels and correlating with poor prognosis in MBGroup3 patients. Knockdown of AMBRA1 reduces MBGroup3 stem cells' potential, growth, and migration, indicating its significant impact on the disease.