The Children's Tumor Foundation
09/12/2025 | Press release | Archived content
CTF-Funded Research Delivers Powerful Cell Model to Study NF2-related Schwannomas
CTF-Funded Research Delivers Powerful Cell Model to Study NF2-related Schwannomas
September 12, 2025NF2-SWN, Science & Research
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Researchers in Barcelona, led by Dr. Elisabeth Castellanos, have developed a powerful new cell model to study NF2-related schwannomas - tumors that often cause hearing loss, balance issues, and other complications.
In this study, tumor samples from NF2-SWN patients were turned into special stem cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, researchers changed these cells to carry the same NF2 gene mutations found in patients. The resulting cells were then assembled into 3D spheroid models that more closely reflected real patient tumor biology.
This study is a big step forward because the model:
mirrors real patient biology seen in NF2-SWN tumors
is well characterized and shared widely, giving labs around the world a reliable tool
provides a platform to test potential therapies more effectively
The Children's Tumor Foundation is proud to have supported this progress through two Drug Discovery Initiative (DDI) Awards (2019 and 2022). Creating more reliable and translational preclinical models is essential to drug discovery. Without them, it's harder to understand how tumors form and evolve or be able to effectively screen potential new therapeutics.
Importantly, while this work was developed to study NF2-related schwannomas, it will also help advance preclinical modeling and understanding of schwannomas seen in other forms of schwannomatosis - broadening its impact for patients and families across the NF2-SWN and SWN community.
Every new model, every new tool, every new discovery helps shorten the time from lab to clinic, moving us closer to the treatments NF patients urgently need.
Read the paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12311431/
Using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the team applied CRISPR technology to remove the NF2 gene and grew them into 3D "spheroids" that behave like the Schwann cells where these tumors begin.
In this work, vestibular schwannoma samples from NF2-SWN patients were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These iPSCs were gene-edited with CRISPR technology to mimic specific NF2 genotypes before being differentiated into disease-relevant cell types, including neural crest cells and Schwann cells. The resulting cells were then assembled into 3D spheroid models that more closely reflected patient tumor biology.
The Children's Tumor Foundation published this content on September 12, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 16, 2025 at 14:05 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]