Pediatric brain tumors are genetically heterogeneous solid neoplasms. With a prevailing poor prognosis and widespread resistance to conventional multimodal therapy, these aggressive tumors are the leading cause of childhood cancer-related deaths worldwide. Advancement in molecular research revealed their unique genetic and epigenetic characteristics and paved the way for more defined prognostication and targeted therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, uncovering the intratumoral metrics on a single-cell level placed non-malignant cell populations such as innate immune cells into the context of tumor manifestation and progression. Targeting immune cells in pediatric brain tumors entails unique challenges but promising opportunities to improve outcome. Herein, we outline the current understanding of the role of the immune regulation in pediatric brain tumors.
Keywords: atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor; embryonal brain tumors; ependymoma; high-grade glioma; immune cells; immunomodulation; immunotherapy; low-grade glioma; medulloblastoma; pediatric brain tumors; therapy resistance; tumor microenvironment.