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Cancer stem cells in gliomas: Identifying and understanding the apex cell in cancer's hierarchy
Author(s) -
Venere Monica,
Fine Howard A.,
Dirks Peter B.,
Rich Jeremy N.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.21185
Subject(s) - cancer stem cell , biology , phenotype , stem cell , cancer , cancer research , angiogenesis , tumor initiation , cancer cell , neuroscience , cytotoxic t cell , bioinformatics , immunology , metastasis , microbiology and biotechnology , in vitro , genetics , gene
Neuro‐oncology research has rediscovered a complexity of nervous system cancers through the incorporation of cellular heterogeneity into tumor models with cellular subsets displaying stem‐cell characteristics. Self‐renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs) can propagate tumors and yield nontumorigenic tumor bulk cells that display a more differentiated phenotype. The ability to prospectively isolate and interrogate CSCs is defining molecular mechanisms responsible for the tumor maintenance and growth. The clinical relevance of CSCs has been supported by their resistance to cytotoxic therapies and their promotion of tumor angiogenesis. Although the field of CSC biology is relatively young, continued elucidation of the features of these cells holds promise for the development of novel patient therapies. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.