Lack of the tumor suppressor protein merlin results in the development of benign nervous system tumors—most commonly schwannomas, which characterize neurofibromatosis type 2, but also meningiomas and ependymomas. Such tumors engender considerable morbidity owing to the high tumor burden and the lack of effectiveness of current treatment options. Here, Ammoun and Hanemann discuss emerging preclinical and clinical data in support of targeting four key families of receptor tyrosine kinases, as well as their downstream signaling pathways, for the treatment of schwannomas and related tumors.
- Sylwia Ammoun
- C. Oliver Hanemann
