Immunobiology and Cytokine Modulation of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Microenvironment: A Scoping Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Pediatric brain tumors are unique from adult tumors and pose challenges due to their distinct characteristics, including differences in tumor immunology, molecular profiles, and response to various treatments. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing targeted and effective therapeutic strategies. This review delves into our current understanding of the immunobiology of various pediatric brain tumors and aims to unravel the intricate interactions between the tumor microenvironment and immune system. By identifying the essential characteristics and immunobiology of pediatric tumors, we can explore strategies to leverage the immune system for novel treatment approaches. ABSTRACT: Utilizing a Scoping Review strategy in the domain of immune biology to identify immune therapeutic targets, knowledge gaps for implementing immune therapeutic strategies for pediatric brain tumors was assessed. The analysis demonstrated limited efforts to date to characterize and understand the immunological aspects of tumor biology with an over-reliance on observations from the adult glioma population. Foundational knowledge regarding the frequency and ubiquity of immune therapeutic targets is an area of unmet need along with the development of immune-competent pediatric tumor models to test therapeutics and especially combinatorial treatment. Opportunities arise in the evolution of pediatric tumor classification from histological to molecular with targeted immune therapeutics.