Glioma stem cells: turpis omen in nomen? (The evil in the name?)
E Binda1, B A Reynolds, A L Vescovi
1Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
High-grade gliomas remain incurable and lethal. Through the availability of the stem-like cells responsible for glioblastoma (GB) formation, expansion, resilience and recurrence, the discovery of glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs) is revolutionizing this field. GCSCs provide an unprecedented opportunity to reproduce and study GB pathophysiology more accurately. This critically emphasizes our ability to unambiguously identify, isolate and investigate cells that do qualify as GCSCs, to use them as a potential model that is truly predictive of GBs and of their regulation and response to therapeutic agents. We review this concept against the background of key findings on somatic, neural and solid tumour stem cells (SCs), also taking into account the emerging phenomenon of phenotypic SC plasticity. We suggest that basic approaches in these areas can be imported into the GCSC field, so that the same functional method used to identify normal somatic SCs becomes the most appropriate to define GCSCs. This, combined with knowledge of the cellular and molecular basis of normal adult neurogenesis, promises to improve the identification of GCSCs and of selective markers, as well as the development of innovative, more specific and efficacious antiglioma strategies.
Insights
Glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs) offer a revolutionary model for studying glioblastoma (GB) and developing targeted therapies. Improved identification of GCSCs and their markers is key to more effective anti-glioma strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- High-grade gliomas, including glioblastoma (GB), are currently incurable and lethal.
- The discovery of glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs) presents a significant advancement in understanding GB formation, resilience, and recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concept of GCSCs and their potential as predictive models for GB pathophysiology and therapeutic responses.
- To emphasize the critical need for unambiguous identification and isolation of GCSCs.
- To explore the integration of findings from somatic, neural, and solid tumor stem cells, including phenotypic plasticity, into GCSC research.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on somatic, neural, and solid tumor stem cells.
- Analysis of phenotypic stem cell plasticity.
- Proposal for adapting functional methods used for normal somatic stem cell identification to GCSCs.
Main Results:
- GCSCs offer a more accurate model for studying GB pathophysiology.
- Phenotypic stem cell plasticity is an emerging factor to consider in GCSC research.
- Importing basic approaches from other stem cell fields can enhance GCSC identification.
Conclusions:
- The functional identification methods for normal somatic stem cells are proposed as the most appropriate for defining GCSCs.
- Improved GCSC identification, coupled with knowledge of neurogenesis, can lead to better selective markers.
- This approach promises to advance the development of innovative and efficacious anti-glioma strategies.
