Glioblastoma-Initiating Cells: Relationship with Neural Stem Cells and the Micro-Environment

Cancers

Nicolas Goffart¹  Jérôme Kroonen² 

[1] Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, GIGA-Neurosciences Research Center, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium; E-Mail:;Human Genetics, CHU and University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium; E-Mail:

关键词: glioblastoma;    subventricular zone;    cancer stem cells;    neural stem cells;    micro-environment;   

DOI  :  10.3390/cancers5031049

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM, WHO grade IV) is the most common and lethal subtype of primary brain tumor with a median overall survival of 15 months from the time of diagnosis. The presence in GBM of a cancer population displaying neural stem cell (NSC) properties as well as tumor-initiating abilities and resistance to current therapies suggests that these glioblastoma-initiating cells (GICs) play a central role in tumor development and are closely related to NSCs. However, it is nowadays still unclear whether GICs derive from NSCs, neural progenitor cells or differentiated cells such as astrocytes or oligodendrocytes. On the other hand, NSCs are located in specific regions of the adult brain called neurogenic niches that have been shown to control critical stem cell properties, to nourish NSCs and to support their self-renewal. This “seed-and-soil” relationship has also been adapted to cancer stem cell research as GICs also require a specific micro-environment to maintain their “stem cell” properties. In this review, we will discuss the controversies surrounding the origin and the identification of GBM stem cells and highlight the micro-environment impact on their biology.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.