Nanostring analysis of medulloblastoma samples using the PanCancer Immune Profile Nanostring Panel

The present study aimed to characterize the immune checkpoint profile in medulloblastomas, assess whether there is a distinct profile among molecular subgroups, and evaluate its prognostic outcome. We included 88 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) medulloblastoma specimens from patients diagnosed at Barretos Cancer Hospital (BCH), Barretos, and Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Brazil, from 1986 to 2018. Experienced pathologists reviewed the histology, and the tumors were previously molecularly characterized by a 22-gene nCounter assay into WNT (n=14), SHH (n=43), Group 3 (n=12), and Group 4 (n=19). Additionally, three non-tumoral samples derived from non-tumor tissue surrounding brain tumor metastasis were included in the study. Gene expression assays were performed in the nCounter® FLEX Analysis System, using the PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel (NanoString Technologies, Inc., Seattle, WA). This panel comprises 730 immuno-oncology-related targets, including 109 cell surface markers for 14 immune cell types and 40 reference genes (https://nanostring.com/products/ncounter-assays-panels/oncology/pancancer-immune-profiling/).