Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42143176›Full record

ReviewJournal of neuro-oncology2026

Vestibular schwannoma: genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, hearing loss, and emerging therapies.

Franciska Otaner, Vratko Himic, Luis O Vargas, Matthew Abikenari, Neelesh Pandey, Shayndhan Sivanathan, Olivia Kalmanson, Aparna Govindan, Diane Jung, Dagoberto Estevez-Ordonez and 7 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of neuro-oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Franciska OtanerFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Vratko HimicDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. vxh268@miami.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3906-5317
Luis O VargasDepartment of Neurosurgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Matthew AbikenariDepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Neelesh PandeyYale College, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Shayndhan SivanathanDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Olivia KalmansonDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Aparna GovindanDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Diane JungDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Dagoberto Estevez-OrdonezDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Amy WangDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Sanjeeva JeyaretnaDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Ashish H ShahDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Ricardo J KomotarDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Bradley GampelDepartment of Neuro-Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Christine DinhDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Michael E IvanDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlthough most vestibular schwannomas (VS) occur sporadically, both sporadic and hereditary tumors share common molecular features beyond the loss of NF2. New evidence highlights the role of interconnected signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation in Schwann cell tumorigenesis, pointing toward potential molecularly targeted therapeutic strategies.

methodsThis review synthesizes preclinical, molecular, and clinical evidence to examine genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying VS, therapeutic strategies, and contributors to hearing loss. A structured search of ClinicalTrials.gov identified 21 Phase 1-3 interventional therapeutic trials.

resultsVS pathogenesis is driven by NF2 loss and merlin deficiency, leading to dysregulation of Hippo/YAP-TAZ, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, VEGF, MAPK, and adhesion pathways. Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNAs, and SOX10 dysfunction, further shape tumor behavior. Clinical trial analysis revealed a predominance of early-phase, non-comparative studies, limited progression to later-phase trials, and incomplete results reporting, indicating gaps in high-quality evidence. Bevacizumab remains the most consistent systemic therapy for select NF2-related cases, while other agents such as icotinib, lapatinib, everolimus, selumetinib, and brigatinib have shown modest activity, primarily disease stabilization. Emerging approaches, including TEAD inhibition, PI3K/mTOR blockade, MEK inhibition, and combined signaling-epigenetic strategies, show preclinical promise. Hearing loss is multifactorial, involving tumor-secreted factors, inflammation, vascular changes, and inner ear damage alongside nerve compression.

conclusionVS biology reflects integrated genetic and epigenomic dysregulation. Advancing care will require multi-omic classification, biomarker-driven trials, and combination therapies targeting both signaling and epigenetic vulnerabilities. Future management is expected to shift toward personalized, mechanism-based strategies aimed at durable tumor control while preserving hearing and quality of life.

Indexed as

Epigenesis, GeneticHearing LossNeuroma, AcousticAnimalsClinical Trials as TopicHumansAcoustic neuromaEpigeneticsNeurofibromatosisNF2SchwannomatosisVestibular schwannoma

Identifiers

PMID42143176
PMCPMC13179888

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.