Embryonic Stem Cell Models of Human Brain Tumors

Utilization of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as a model system to study highly malignant pediatric cancers has led to significant insight into the molecular mechanisms governing tumor progression and has revealed novel therapeutic targets for these devastating diseases. Here, we describe a method for generating heterogeneous populations of neural precursors from both normal and neoplastic hESCs and the subsequent injection of neoplastic human embryonic neural cells (hENs) into intracerebellar or intracranial xenograft models. Histopathologically, neural tumors derived from neoplastic hENs exhibit features similar to more aggressive medulloblastoma, the most common malignant primary pediatric brain tumor. In this chapter, we will outline the detailed methods for culturing normal and neoplastic neural precursor cells in both adherent and tumorsphere format and the full characterization of the brain tumors generated from these cells in non-obese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD SCID) mice.