MBRS-33. TEMPORARY RESTORATION OF p53 ACTIVITY DURING FRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY IN A GROUP3 MEDULLOBLASTOMA GEMM REPRESENTS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR RADIOBIOLOGY STUDIES

Abstract TP53 pathway alterations are well-described events in medulloblastoma (MB) and are predictive of poor clinical outcome. Alterations are rare at diagnosis in Group3 (Gr3) and Group4, but enriched in Sonic Hedgehog and WNT subgroups. However, TP53 mutations are observed in all subgroups at relapse. Radiation therapy, along with surgery and chemotherapy, represents the standard of care treatment for MB. Loss of p53 function correlates with increased resistance to radiation in several cancers conferring poor survival for patients. In this study, we exposed the MYCN-driven/Trp53kiki (with tamoxifen-inducible p53 activation) Gr3 MB GEMM to a clinically relevant fractionated radiation therapy (RT) regime, to assess the role of p53 in Gr3 radio-resistance and relapse. Mice exhibiting tumour progression (bioluminescence (BLI) signal >109 photons/second) were randomized to treatment groups. A small animal radiation research platform was used to deliver CT-guided cranio-spinal irradiation (CSI) and a cranial boost (CB). Mice were followed for survival and tumour burden tracked using BLI. Bodyweight was monitored to evaluate treatment tolerability. Full dose radiation therapy (54Gy CB, 36Gy CSI, α/β=10) or dose modulation (12Gy CB, 8Gy CSI) was performed. The results showed comparable primary tumour regression in response to RT in p53 inactive and active backgrounds, followed by imminent relapse or prolonged remission respectively. No significant acute toxicity was observed. Temporary activation of p53 during RT improved tumour-free survival and decreased the incidence of relapse. In conclusion, we developed a new model which will help improve understanding of the radiobiology of high-risk MB and future preclinical trials.