Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Neurofibromas Reveals a Tumor Microenvironment Favorable for Neural Regeneration and Immune Suppression in an NF1 Porcine Model

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 represents a genetic disorder affecting 1:3000 children and characterized by many clinical manifestations, commonly large persistent tumors that can cause chronic pain, organ malfunction, and progress to malignancy. While other cancer research has given us insight into the complexity of cell types and cellular communication in cancers, there is less understanding for NF1 tumors. Our study of tumors in a pig model using single-cell RNA-seq reveals genetic underpinning for how the tumor evades the immune system, the tumor mimics neuroregeneration, and provides new insights into new therapeutic strategies.