Expanding the Spectrum of EWSR1::CREM Fusion Tumors: An Unusual Pediatric Intranasal Myxoid Tumor.

EWSR1::CREM gene fusions are increasingly being recognized in a diverse number of soft tissue tumors, including well-defined entities such as angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma or clear cell sarcoma, and other unclassifiable tumors. As a group, EWSR1::CREM fused tumors often demonstrate primitive spindle or epithelioid cells, myxoid stroma, and a broad immunophenotype. Herein we present an unusual case of a child diagnosed with an intranasal malignant myxoid tumor harboring an EWSR1::CREM gene fusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of intranasal myxoid tumor with this particular fusion. Diagnosis and management of the case is discussed.

Case report of an infant with congenital mesoblastic nephroma leading to pulmonary metastasis.

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma is considered a tumour with favourable clinical behaviour with only few reported cases of metastases. We report an infant who underwent complete resection and later developed pulmonary metastasis. Ten-month-old baby girl initially presented at 3 weeks of age with macroscopic haematuria, hypertension and a lumbar mass. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a tumour arising from the left kidney without local invasion or metastasis. She underwent left nephrectomy. Immunohistochemistry confirmed a cellular type of congenital mesoblastic nephroma. At 10 months, she presented with difficulty in breathing. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed an opacity in the right hemi-thorax. Histology of lung mass was suggestive of deposits from the previously excised mesoblastic nephroma. She developed a right-sided haemothorax and succumbed. This case report highlights the fact that even though congenital mesoblastic nephromas are considered tumours with favourable clinical behaviour, they can present later with distant metastasis. Therefore, clinicians need to be aware of this rare malignant potential and adhere to meticulous follow-up protocols.

Targeted Degradation of XIAP is Sufficient and Specific to Induce Apoptosis in MYCN-overexpressing High-risk Neuroblastoma.

XIAP, the most potent mammalian inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP), critically restricts developmental culling of sympathetic neuronal progenitors, and is correspondingly overexpressed in most MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma tumors. Because apoptosis-related protein in the TGFß signaling pathway (ARTS) is the only XIAP antagonist that directly binds and degrades XIAP, we evaluated the preclinical effectiveness and tolerability of XIAP antagonism as a novel targeting strategy for neuroblastoma. We found that antagonism of XIAP, but not other IAPs, triggered apoptotic death in neuroblastoma cells. XIAP silencing induced apoptosis while overexpression conferred protection from drug-induced apoptosis. From a screen of IAP inhibitors, first-in-class ARTS mimetic A4 was most effective against high-risk and high XIAP-expressing neuroblastoma cells, and least toxic toward normal liver- and bone marrow-derived cells, compared with pan-IAP antagonists. On target engagement assays and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, A4 was observed to degrade rather than inhibit XIAP, catalyzing rapid degradation of XIAP through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma patient-derived xenografts, A4 significantly prolonged survival as a single agent, and demonstrated synergism with standard-of-care agents to reduce their effective required doses 3- to 6-fold. Engagement and degradation of XIAP by ARTS mimetics is a novel targeting strategy for neuroblastoma that may be especially effective against MYCN-amplified disease with intrinsically high XIAP expression. First-in-class ARTS mimetic A4 demonstrates preclinical efficacy and warrants further development and study. SIGNIFICANCE: XIAP degradation is sufficient to kill MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma which overexpresses and relies on XIAP as a brake against cell death, without affecting normal cells.

Spontaneous Partial Regression of Fetal Lung Interstitial Tumor With A2M::ALK Rearrangement in a Neonate.

The differential diagnosis for neonatal primary lung masses includes developmental anomalies and congenital lung tumors. Fetal lung interstitial tumor (FLIT) is a rare benign mesenchymal lesion which presents either antenatally or within the first 3 months of age. FLIT is a circumscribed solid-cystic mass which histologically resembles the fetal lung during the canalicular stage at 20-24 weeks of gestation. It is composed of immature mesenchymal cells expanding the interstitium and irregular airspace-like structures. Of all published cases, only 1 identified an α2-macroglobulin (A2M)::anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion and all cases underwent surgical resection in the neonatal or infancy period. We present the second case of FLIT with an A2M::ALK fusion diagnosed postnatally in a neonate which partially regressed spontaneously during conservative management with interim resection at 39 months of age, and provide a review of the literature.

Exploiting frequent and specific expression of PRL3 in pediatric solid tumors for first-in-child use of PRL3-zumab humanized antibody.

Phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL3) is a specific tumor antigen overexpressed in a broad range of adult cancer types. However, its physiological expression in pediatric embryonal and mesenchymal tumors and its association with clinical outcomes in children is unknown. We sought to profile the expression of PRL3 in pediatric tumors in relation to survival outcomes, expression of angiogenesis markers, and G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling targets. PRL3-zumab, a first-in-class humanized antibody, was administered in a dose escalation schedule in a first-in-child clinical trial to study toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and clinical outcomes. Among 64 pediatric tumors, PRL3 was most frequently expressed in neuroblastoma (100%), rhabdomyosarcoma and non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (71%), and renal sarcomas (60%) but absent in paired normal tissues. PRL3 was expressed in 75% of relapsed tumors and associated with shorter median event-free survival. Microarray profiling of PRL3-positive tumors showed elevation of angiogenin, TIMP1 and TIMP2, and GPCR-MAPK signaling proteins that commonly interacted with PRL3. The first use of PRL3-zumab in a pediatric patient saw no adverse events. A 28.6% reduction in maximum target lesion diameter was achieved when PRL3-zumab was administered concurrently with hypofractionated radiation. These findings support wider exploration of PRL3 expression in embryonal and mesenchymal tumors and further clinical application of PRL3-zumab in pediatric patients.

Rapid detection of telomerase expression of neuroblastoma in paraffin-embedded tissue: combination of in situ hybridisation and quantitative PCR.

Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous paediatric malignant tumour. Telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM) by telomerase activation or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a hallmark of high-risk neuroblastoma. However, the prior assays for telomerase, such as TERT expression by RNA sequencing or microarrays, may not be easy to perform in many histopathology laboratories in hospitals. The aims of this study are to assess the utility of ultrasensitive single-cell RNA in situ hybridisation (RNAscope), immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumour samples as diagnostic tools for detecting TERT expression in neuroblastoma. In this study, we detected MYCN amplification in 22 of 222 cases (10%), TERT rearrangements in 18 of 220 cases (8%), and ALT activation in 39 of 222 cases (18%) using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). By RNA in situ hybridisation, 36 of 210 (17%) pretreatment neuroblastomas were found to have TERT overexpression, which was significantly associated with the high-risk group (33/78, 42%), TERT rearrangements (16/18, 89%), and MYCN amplification (13/22, 59%). None of the tumours with ALT showed TERT staining. In our study, 19 of the 55 MYCN non-amplified high-risk neuroblastomas displayed TERT mRNA expression, including 13 of the 14 TERT rearrangements, none of the 30 ALT-positive cases, and a significant proportion (6/11, 55%) that did not have the aforementioned genomic anomalies. RT-qPCR results correlated well with RNAscope levels (Spearman's rho=0.621, p<0.001, n=94). In conclusion, TERT RNA in situ hybridisation and RT-qPCR are suitable methods to evaluate TERT expression in neuroblastoma. The combination of detection of the genomic alterations and TERT mRNA expression is a powerful strategy for TMM activation detection, which can categorise neuroblastomas into multiple clinical subgroups for risk stratification in routine histopathology practice.

PBRM1-deficient PBAF complexes target aberrant genomic loci to activate the NF-κB pathway in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

PBRM1 encodes an accessory subunit of the PBAF SWI/SNF chromatin remodeller, and the inactivation of PBRM1 is a frequent event in kidney cancer. However, the impact of PBRM1 loss on chromatin remodelling is not well examined. Here we show that, in VHL-deficient renal tumours, PBRM1 deficiency results in ectopic PBAF complexes that localize to de novo genomic loci, activating the pro-tumourigenic NF-κB pathway. PBRM1-deficient PBAF complexes retain the association between SMARCA4 and ARID2, but have loosely tethered BRD7. The PBAF complexes redistribute from promoter proximal regions to distal enhancers containing NF-κB motifs, heightening NF-κB activity in PBRM1-deficient models and clinical samples. The ATPase function of SMARCA4 maintains chromatin occupancy of pre-existing and newly acquired RELA specific to PBRM1 loss, activating downstream target gene expression. Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib abrogates RELA occupancy, suppresses NF-κB activation and delays growth of PBRM1-deficient tumours. In conclusion, PBRM1 safeguards the chromatin by repressing aberrant liberation of pro-tumourigenic NF-κB target genes by residual PBRM1-deficient PBAF complexes.

Targeting mutant dicer tumorigenesis in pleuropulmonary blastoma via inhibition of RNA polymerase I.

DICER1 mutations predispose to increased risk for various cancers, particularly pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), the commonest lung malignancy of childhood. There is a paucity of directly actionable molecular targets as these tumors are driven by loss-of-function mutations of DICER1. Therapeutic development for PPB is further limited by a lack of biologically and physiologically-representative disease models. Given recent evidence of Dicer's role as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor regulating RNA polymerase I (Pol I), Pol I inhibition could abrogate mutant Dicer-mediated accumulation of stalled polymerases to trigger apoptosis. Hence, we developed a novel subpleural orthotopic PPB patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model that retained both RNase IIIa and IIIb hotspot mutations and recapitulated the cardiorespiratory physiology of intra-thoracic disease, and with it evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of first-in-class Pol I inhibitor CX-5461. In PDX tumors, CX-5461 significantly reduced H3K9 di-methylation and increased nuclear p53 expression, within 24 hours' exposure. Following treatment at the maximum tolerated dosing regimen (12 doses, 30 mg/kg), tumors were smaller and less hemorrhagic than controls, with significantly decreased cellular proliferation, and increased apoptosis. As demonstrated in a novel intrathoracic tumor model of PPB, Pol I inhibition with CX-5461 could be a tolerable and clinically-feasible therapeutic strategy for mutant Dicer tumors, inducing antitumor effects by decreasing H3K9 methylation and enhancing p53-mediated apoptosis.

Clinicopathologic and Molecular Characteristics of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Smooth Muscle Tumor Compared With Those of Leiomyoma and Leiomyosarcoma.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated smooth muscle tumors (EBV-SMTs) are rare smooth muscle neoplasms exclusively associated with immunosuppression, such as in patients with HIV/AIDS, posttransplant, and congenital immunodeficiency. However, the genomic landscape of EBV-SMTs is poorly understood. Leiomyosarcomas harbor genomic instability and multiple recurrent DNA copy number alterations, whereas leiomyomas lack such changes. Thus, this study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by characterizing copy number alterations in EBV-SMTs and correlating this information with clinicopathologic characteristics. Our study investigated and compared the pathologic characteristics and copy number profiles of 9 EBV-SMTs (from 7 post-transplant and AIDS patients), 6 leiomyomas, and 7 leiomyosarcomas, using chromosomal microarray platforms. Our results showed a lower copy number alteration burden in EBV-SMTs and leiomyoma than in leiomyosarcoma. This contrast in the molecular profile between EBV-SMTs and leiomyosarcoma is concordant with the different clinical behaviors and pathologic characteristics exhibited by these tumors. Despite having an overall copy number alteration profile closer to leiomyoma, recurrent copy number gain of oncogenes, such as RUNX1, CCND2, and ETS2, was found in EBV-SMTs. Epigenetic alterations may play an important role in tumorigenesis as recurrent copy number gains were found in histone deacetylases. A gene enrichment analysis also demonstrated enrichment of genes involved in the host response to viral infection, suggesting that the tumor immune microenvironment may play an important role in EBV-SMT tumorigenesis.

Diagnosis of Fusion-Associated Sarcomas by Exon Expression Imbalance and Gene Expression.

Sarcomas are a diverse group of tumors, with >70 subtypes in the current World Health Organization classification, each with distinct biological behavior requiring specific clinical management. A significant portion of sarcomas are molecularly defined by expression of a driver fusion gene; identification of such fusions is the basis of molecular diagnostics in sarcomas, which is of increasing complexity due to the ongoing discovery of new gene fusions. Recently, a multiplex NanoString platform-based assay was developed and clinically implemented, with fusion junction-spanning probes that detect the majority of sarcoma fusion types, with high sensitivity and specificity, and with lower cost and shorter turnaround time than those of targeted next-generation sequencing-based alternatives. Despite the effectiveness of this assay, there are several entities for which fusion-junction probes are not suitable due to multiple possible gene partners or excessive variability at the exon junctions. Here, the development and evaluation of a companion assay are described that uses NanoString-based gene expression analysis to detect aberrant 3'/5' exon expression imbalance and/or total gene overexpression as a surrogate marker for fusion gene rearrangement. This assay evaluates exon imbalance in 23 genes involved in over 25 mesenchymal tumor types and five genes specific to sarcomas with CIC rearrangements. Based on evaluation of 115 retrospectively and 91 prospectively collected cases, an assay sensitivity of 92.8% and specificity of 93.5% are demonstrated.

Paediatric BCOR-associated sarcomas with a novel long spliced internal tandem duplication of BCOR exon 15.

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) and primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumour of infancy (PMMTI) are paediatric sarcomas that most commonly harbour internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of exon 15 of the BCOR gene, in the range of 87-114 base pairs (bp). Some cases, instead, have BCOR-CCNB3 or YWHAE-NUTM2 gene fusions. About 10% of cases lack any of these genetic alterations when tested by standard methods. Two cases of CCSK and one PMMTI lacking the aforementioned mutations were analysed using Archer FusionPlex technology. Two related BCOR exon 15 RNA transcripts with ITDs of lengths 388 and 96 bp were detected in each case; only the 388 bp transcript was identified when genomic DNA was sequenced. In silico analysis of this transcript revealed acceptor and donor splice sites indicating that, at the RNA level, the 388-bp transcript was likely spliced to form the 96-bp transcript. The results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing using primers targeting the ITD breakpoint. This novel and unusually long ITD segment is difficult to identify by DNA sequencing using typical primer design strategies flanking entire duplicated segments because it exceeds the typical read lengths of most sequencing platforms as well as the usual fragment lengths obtained from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. As diagnosis of CCSK and PMMTI may be challenging by morphology and immunohistochemistry alone, it is important to identify mutations in these cases. Knowledge of this novel BCOR ITD is important in relation to primer design for detection by sequencing, and using RNA versus DNA for sequencing.

Endometrial Stromal Sarcomas With BCOR Internal Tandem Duplication and Variant BCOR/BCORL1 Rearrangements Resemble High-grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcomas With Recurrent CDK4 Pathway Alterations and MDM2 Amplifications.

The distinction between low-grade and high-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas (LGESS, HGESS) is increasingly defined by genetics. Recently, variant genomic alterations involving BCOR or BCORL1 have been reported in endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), although it remains unclear whether these justify a diagnosis of LGESS or HGESS. In this study, we describe clinicopathologic and molecular features of ESS with such alterations to help clarify their classification in the spectrum of ESS. We collected a cohort of 13 ESS harboring variant alteration involving BCOR (6 with internal tandem duplication, 1 with EP300::BCOR fusion, 1 with BCOR::LPP fusion) and BCORL1 ( 4 with JAZF1::BCORL1 fusion, 1 with EPC1::BCORL1 fusion). The median patient age at primary diagnosis was 51 years (range: 18 to 70 y). Median tumor size at primary diagnosis was 9.3 cm (range: 4.5 to 21 cm), and extrauterine disease spread (stage IIIB-C) was present in 27%. The tumors were composed of round to spindled cells with cellularity and cytologic atypia ranging from mild to marked and a median mitotic count of 18/10 HPFs (range: 2 to 85/10 HPFs). At least focally myopermeative growth was noted in 8/8 assessable cases. Of 12 patients with follow-up data (median: 25 mo), 4 patients died of disease and 3 were alive with recurrent disease. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of DNA methylation data together with a large cohort of uterine mesenchymal tumors that included YWHAE::NUTM2 and Z C3H7B::BCOR HGESS and molecularly confirmed LGESS revealed a common methylation signature for all ESS with variant BCOR and BCORL1 alterations and HGESS with YWHAE::NUTM2 and ZC3H7B::BCOR gene fusion. Copy number analysis revealed amplifications of CDK4 and MDM2 , as well as homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B and NF1 in a subset of tumors. Our results indicate that ESS with BCOR internal tandem duplication and variant BCOR and BCORL1 rearrangements clinically and molecularly resemble conventional HGESS.

Experimental evidence for a high rate of maternal-fetal transmission of dengue virus in the presence of antibodies in immunocompromised mice.

BACKGROUND: Congenital disorders associated with prenatal vertical transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) is well established since the 2016 outbreak in the Americas. However, despite clinical reports of similar mode of transmission for other flaviviruses such as dengue virus (DENV), the phenomenon has not been experimentally explored. METHODS: Pregnant AG129 mice were infected with DENV1 in the presence or absence of enhancing antibodies at different gestational time points. ZIKV was used for comparison. We quantified viral load in fetus and placentas and performed comprehensive gene expression profiling in the maternal (decidua) and fetal portion of placenta separately. FINDINGS: We demonstrate in a laboratory experimental setting that DENV can be transmitted vertically in a gestation stage-dependent manner similar to ZIKV, and this incidence drastically increases in the presence of enhancing antibodies. Interestingly, a high rate of DENV fetal infection occurs even though the placental viral load is significantly lower than that found in ZIKV-infected dams. Comprehensive gene expression profiling revealed DENV infection modulates a variety of inflammation-associated genes comparable to ZIKV in decidua and fetal placenta in early pregnancy. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that the virus-induced modulation of host gene expression may facilitate DENV to cross the placental barrier in spite of lower viral burden compared to ZIKV. This mouse model may serve to identify the host determinants required for the vertical transmission of flaviviruses and develop appropriate countermeasures. FUNDING: National Medical Research Council/Open Fund Individual Research Grant MOH-000524 (SW), MOH-000086 and OFIRG20nov-0017 (SGV).

Recommended testing algorithms for NTRK gene fusions in pediatric and selected adult cancers: Consensus of a Singapore Task Force.

The occurrence of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions in a wide range of tumor types presents an attractive opportunity for using a tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitor as cancer therapy. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated highly efficacious outcomes associated with the use of TRK inhibitors, such as larotrectinib and entrectinib in NTRK fusion-bearing cancers, in both adult and pediatric populations. While NTRK gene fusions are commonly found in some uncommon adult and pediatric malignancies, they are also found, albeit rarely, in a wide range of more common malignancies. The potential value of testing for NTRK gene fusions in practically all advanced malignancies is underpinned by the remarkable therapeutic outcomes that TRK inhibitors offer. This requirement presents practical and financial challenges in real-world oncological practice. Furthermore, different testing platforms exist to detect NTRK gene fusions, each with its advantages and disadvantages. It is, therefore, imperative to develop strategies for NTRK gene fusion testing in an attempt to optimize the use of limited tissue specimen and financial resources, and to minimize the turnaround time. A multidisciplinary task force of Singapore medical experts in both public and private sectors was convened in late 2020 to propose testing algorithms for adult colorectal tumors, sarcomas, non-small cell lung cancer, and pediatric cancers, with particular adaptation to the Singapore oncological practice. The recommendations presented here highlight the heterogeneity of NTRK-fusion positive cancers, and emphasize the need to customize the testing methods to each tumor type to optimize the workflow.

Mass-forming immunoglobulin G4-related disease shows indolent clinical course after surgical resection, clinicopathological analysis of a series of 15 cases.

The purpose of this study is to characterize the clinicopathological features of mass-forming immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD). A retrospective search for cases of mass-forming IgG4-RD diagnosed at Singapore General Hospital between 2008 and 2019 was performed. A total of 15 cases of mass-forming IgG4-RD were identified. The male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1, and the median age was 61 years old. The majority of cases showed a solitary lesion (12/15) with a mean size of 35 mm. IgG4-RD was considered as a clinical differential diagnosis only in one case (1/15) prior to the surgical resection. Diagnostic histopathological features, such as dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate positive for IgG4 plasma cells (15/15), storiform fibrosis (15/15), and obliterative phlebitis (9/15), were observed in most cases. These findings were distributed heterogeneously within the lesions. Cases with single organ involvement showed a low relapse rate (2/10) and normal serum IgG4 level after surgical resection. Mass-forming IgG4-RD has a male predilection and involves various organ systems. It may be initially misdiagnosed as malignancy and undergo surgical resection. The diagnostic histological features of IgG4-RD are readily identified in different organs. However, they may be distributed heterogeneously within a single lesion. Cases of single organ involvement show an indolent clinical course and normal serum IgG4 level after surgical resection.

Correlating SS18-SSX immunohistochemistry (IHC) with SS18 fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in synovial sarcomas: a study of 36 cases.

The recently introduced, highly sensitive and specific SS18-SSX immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an attractive alternative to SS18 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing in synovial sarcoma (SS). However, little is known about how SS18-SSX IHC correlates with SS18 FISH. We correlated the SS18 FISH results of SS from 36 patients with SS18-SSX IHC. Twenty-six tumours had a classic break-apart FISH pattern (1 fused, 1 red and 1 green signal) and all stained positive for the IHC. Ten had an atypical (non-classic) FISH pattern of which 5 stained positive for the IHC. Four of these (including two with novel atypical SS18 FISH patterns) were confirmed to harbour the SS18-SSX fusion on targeted RNA sequencing, while one had classic features of a biphasic SS. The remaining 5 tumours stained negative for the IHC. One had a TPM3-NTRK1 fusion, and one had no fusion, while the remaining three had insufficient tissue/RNA for sequencing. The sensitivity of the IHC was 91% (after excluding the 2 cases with confirmed absence of SS18-SSX fusion). Twenty histologic mimics of SS also stained negative for the IHC (100% specificity). Our study shows that the SS18-SSX IHC is more specific than SS18 FISH in diagnosing SS, especially in cases with atypical FISH patterns. It correlates well with RNA sequencing result and has the potential to replace SS18 FISH testing. A positive IHC result supports the diagnosis of SS, while a tumour with atypical FISH pattern and negative IHC result should undergo further molecular testing.

Ectopic CD137 expression by rhabdomyosarcoma provides selection advantages but allows immunotherapeutic targeting.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a heterogeneous soft tissue neoplasm most frequently found in children and adolescents. As the prognosis for recurrent and metastatic RMS remains poor, immunotherapies are hoped to improve quality of life and survival. CD137 is a member of tumor necrosis factor receptor family and a T cell costimulatory molecule which induces potent cellular immune responses that are able to eliminate malignant cells. Therefore, it was puzzling to find expression of CD137 on an RMS tissue microarray by multiplex staining. CD137 is not only expressed by infiltrating T cells but also by malignant RMS cells. Functional in vitro experiments demonstrate that CD137 on RMS cells is being transferred to adjacent antigen-presenting cells by trogocytosis, where it downregulates CD137 ligand, and thereby reduces T cell costimulation which results in reduced killing of RMS cells. The transfer of CD137 and the subsequent downregulation of CD137 ligand is a physiological negative feedback mechanism that is likely usurped by RMS, and may facilitate its escape from immune surveillance. In addition, CD137 signals into RMS cells and induces IL-6 and IL-8 secretion, which are linked to RMS metastasis and poor prognosis. However, the ectopic expression of CD137 on RMS cells is an Achilles' heel that may be utilized for immunotherapy. Natural killer cells expressing an anti-CD137 chimeric antigen receptor specifically kill CD137-expressing RMS cells. Our study implicates ectopic CD137 expression as a pathogenesis mechanism in RMS, and it demonstrates that CD137 may be a novel target for immunotherapy of RMS.