The IP entails the creation of a quantifiable orthotopic NF2-associated meningioma model that seeks to address the lack of effective therapies for meningiomas, particularly those linked to neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Meningiomas, arising from the brain’s arachnoidal layer, present significant morbidity, with current treatment options limited to surgery and radiation. The model utilizes patient-derived xenografts in mice, which render a realistic representation of NF2-associated tumors. The IP addresses a critical gap in NF2 research by providing a reliable preclinical model for therapeutic evaluation. By accurately mimicking NF2-associated meningiomas, researchers can test potential treatments more effectively, thus accelerating the development of targeted therapies. Advantages are abundant, including:

1. Patient Relevance: The model employs benign tumor cells from NF2 patients, ensuring clinical relevance and enhancing translatability of research findings.
2. Quantifiable Evaluation: Researchers can monitor tumor growth over time using bioluminescence imaging, enabling precise assessment of therapeutic efficacy.
3. Targeted Therapy Identification: The model facilitates the identification of potential targeted therapies, addressing the lack of FDA-approved treatments for meningiomas.

The IP offers immediate applications in NF2 translational research; this enables the identification of novel targeted therapies with potent anti-tumor activities against NF2-associated meningiomas. The IP has progressed from cell line generation and characterization to in vivo evaluation of therapeutic candidates. Ongoing work involves further therapeutic evaluation using the established model, with potential for future refinement and expansion of applications. Major pharmaceutical companies with drugs targeting NF2-related signaling pathways would likely be interested in licensing the technology.