Dimitris George Placantonakis, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Skirball 8R, New York, NY 10016, United States. dimitris.placantonakis@nyumc.org
Research Domain of This Article
Oncology
Article-Type of This Article
Review
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World J Stem Cells. Apr 26, 2014; 6(2): 230-238 Published online Apr 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i2.230
Glioblastoma stem cells: Molecular characteristics and therapeutic implications
Nermin Sumru Bayin, Aram Sandaldjian Modrek, Dimitris George Placantonakis
Nermin Sumru Bayin, Aram Sandaldjian Modrek, Dimitris George Placantonakis, Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Nermin Sumru Bayin, Stem Cell Biology Training Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Aram Sandaldjian Modrek, Medical Scientist Training Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Dimitris George Placantonakis, Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Dimitris George Placantonakis, Brain Tumor Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Author contributions: Bayin NS, Modrek AS and Placantonakis DG solely contributed to this paper.
Supported by Bayin NS received support from NYSTEM Institutional training grant, No. CO26880; Modrek AS received support from the Medical Scientist Training Program at NYU School of Medicine; Placantonakis DG received support from NIH/NINDS 1R21NS087241-01, NIH/NCI 2P30CA016087-33, NIH/NCATS UL1 TR000038; NYU Cancer Institute and NYU Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Correspondence to: Dimitris George Placantonakis, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Skirball 8R, New York, NY 10016, United States. dimitris.placantonakis@nyumc.org
Telephone: +1-212-2632441 Fax: +1-212-2638042
Received: January 1, 2014 Revised: January 25, 2014 Accepted: April 11, 2014 Published online: April 26, 2014
Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a grade IV astrocytoma, with a median survival of 14.6 mo. Within GBM, stem-like cells, namely glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), have the ability to self-renew, differentiate into distinct lineages within the tumor and initiate tumor xenografts in immunocompromised animal models. More importantly, GSCs utilize cell-autonomous and tumor microenvironment-mediated mechanisms to overcome current therapeutic approaches. They are, therefore, very important therapeutic targets. Although the functional criteria defining GSCs are well defined, their molecular characteristics, the mechanisms whereby they establish the cellular hierarchy within tumors, and their contribution to tumor heterogeneity are not well understood. This review is aimed at summarizing current findings about GSCs and their therapeutic importance from a molecular and cellular point of view. A better characterization of GSCs is crucial for designing effective GSC-targeted therapies.
Core tip: Stem-like cells in glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, have increased tumorigenic capacity, generate tumor lineages and exhibit marked resistance to current therapies. A better understanding of these stem-like cells is necessary for designing new effective treatments. This review discusses the molecular characteristics of these cells and their therapeutic importance.
