TRP: Human Schwannoma Cell Line (UCLA Case No. 2015-213)

UCLA researchers from the Department of Head & Neck Surgery have developed the only available human NF2 schwannoma cell line, offering an in vitro model for studying tumor cell biology and therapeutic development.

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by inactivating mutations in the NF2 tumor suppressor gene. It is primarily characterized by the development of bilateral vestibular schwannomas. These are benign but often progressive tumors arising from Schwann cells that exhibit deregulated growth, contributing to hearing loss, balance dysfunction, and other neurological complications. Despite significant advances in the genetic and molecular understanding of NF2, therapeutic development has been hindered by the lack of robust, physiologically relevant human cell line models that faithfully recapitulate the biology of schwannomas. This bottleneck has limited the ability of researchers to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and conduct high-throughput drug screening. Thus, a human schwannoma cell line would serve as a vital tool for studying NF2-related tumorigenesis and evaluating novel therapeutics.

INNOVATION: Researchers at UCLA have developed a human NF2 schwannoma cell line. This technology is the first and only human schwannoma cell line established from NF2-associated tumor tissue. This cell line retains hallmark features of schwannomas. Unlike mouse models, this human-derived cell line provides a human disease- relevant cellular context that is compatible with many experimental assays. This technology fills a critical gap in NF2 research and drug discovery, enabling a diverse range of tumor biology and treatment response studies.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:

• Mechanistic investigation of tumor cell signaling pathways
• Screening and validation of therapeutics
• Development of biomarkers for disease
• In vitro modeling of disease

ADVANTAGES:

• Only human NF2 schwannoma cell line available
• Derived from human tissue – highly applicable to relevant therapeutic discovery

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE: UCLA researchers have developed a human NF2 schwannoma cell line.

Related Papers (from the inventors only):

• Giovannini M, Bonne NX, Vitte J, Chareyre F, Tanaka K, Adams R, Fisher LM, Valeyrie-Allanore L, Wolkenstein P, Goutagny S, Kalamarides M. mTORC1 inhibition delays growth of neurofibromatosis type 2 schwannoma. Neuro Oncol. 2014 Apr;16(4):493-504. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/not242. Epub 2014 Jan 10. PubMed PMID: 24414536; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3956353.
• Tanaka K, Eskin A, Chareyre F, Jessen WJ, Manent J, Niwa-Kawakita M, Chen R, White CH, Vitte J, Jaffer ZM, Nelson SF, Rubenstein AE, Giovannini M. Therapeutic potential of HSP90 inhibition for neurofibromatosis type 2. Clin Cancer Res. 2013 Jul 15;19(14):3856-70. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-12-3167. Epub 2013 May 28. PubMed PMID: 23714726.

Keywords: NF2, schwannoma, human cell line, neurofibromatosis type 2, Schwann cells, tumor biology, cell biology