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Updated: Sep 23, 2025
Coculture Assays to Study Macrophage and Microglia Stimulation of Glioblastoma Invasion
Published on: October 20, 2016
Therapy-induced shaping of the glioblastoma microenvironment: Macrophages at play
Johanna Erbani1, Menno Boon1, Leila Akkari1
1Division of Tumour Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
The intricate cross-talks between tumor cells and their microenvironment play a key role in cancer progression and resistance to treatment. In recent years, targeting pro-tumorigenic components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a tantalizing strategy to improve the efficacy of standard-of-care (SOC) treatments, particularly for hard-to-treat cancers such as glioblastoma. In this review, we explore how the distinct microenvironmental niches characteristic of the glioblastoma TME shape response to therapy. In particular, we delve into the interplay between tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and glioblastoma cells within angiogenic and hypoxic niches, and interrogate their dynamic co-evolution upon SOC therapies that fuels malignancy. Resolving the complexity of therapy-induced alterations in the glioblastoma TME and their impact on disease relapse is a stepping stone to identify targetable pro-tumorigenic pathways and TAM subsets, and may open the way to efficient combination therapies that will improve clinical outcomes.
Insights
Targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for treating glioblastoma. Understanding how tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and cancer cells interact in specific niches can lead to better combination therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influences cancer progression and treatment resistance.
- Targeting pro-tumorigenic TME components offers a promising strategy to enhance standard-of-care (SOC) treatments for difficult-to-treat cancers like glioblastoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how distinct glioblastoma TME niches affect therapeutic responses.
- To explore the interplay between tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and glioblastoma cells in angiogenic and hypoxic niches.
- To investigate the co-evolution of these interactions under SOC therapies and their role in disease relapse.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on glioblastoma TME composition and therapy-induced changes.
- Analysis of the roles of TAM and glioblastoma cells within specific microenvironmental niches.
- Examination of therapeutic resistance mechanisms driven by TME alterations.
Main Results:
- Glioblastoma TME niches, particularly angiogenic and hypoxic ones, critically shape responses to therapy.
- The dynamic interplay between TAM and glioblastoma cells within these niches fuels malignancy and contributes to therapeutic resistance.
- SOC therapies can induce significant alterations in the TME, promoting disease relapse.
Conclusions:
- Understanding therapy-induced TME alterations is essential for identifying novel therapeutic targets.
- Targeting specific pro-tumorigenic pathways and TAM subsets holds potential for improving glioblastoma treatment outcomes.
- Developing efficient combination therapies that modulate the TME is a key strategy for enhancing clinical efficacy.
