Open AccessTargeting glioma stem cells: A novel framework for brain tumors
Author(s) -
Binello Emanuela,
Germano Isabelle M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2011.02064.x
Subject(s) - glioma , context (archaeology) , stem cell , translation (biology) , cancer research , immune system , biology , neuroscience , tumor microenvironment , brain tumor , bioinformatics , medicine , immunology , pathology , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , paleontology , messenger rna
The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in stem cell research that focuses on glioma stem cells (GSC) and their mechanisms of action, revealing multiple potential targets for primary malignant brain tumors. Herein, we present a novel framework for considering GSC targets based on direct and indirect strategies. Direct strategies target GSC molecular pathways to overcome their resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, block their function or induce their differentiation. Indirect strategies target the microenvironment of the GSC, namely the perivascular, hypoxic and immune niches. Progress made on GSC targets is reviewed in detail and specific pathways are identified in context of the proposed framework. The potential barriers for translation to the clinical setting are also discussed. Overall, targeting GSC provides an unprecedented opportunity for revolutionary approaches to treat high‐grade gliomas that continue to have a poor patient prognosis. ( Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1958–1966)