Modeling Human Brain Tumors and the Microenvironment Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Zahraa I Khamis1,2,3,4, Drishty B Sarker1, Yu Xue1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
Cancers
|February 25, 2023
Summary
Human pluripotent stem cells offer advanced methods for modeling brain cancers like glioblastoma and medulloblastoma in vitro. These induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models improve pathological studies and accelerate drug development for brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Brain cancers are aggressive CNS malignancies with poor prognoses.
- Modeling brain cancer is challenging due to the brain's complexity.
- Human pluripotent stem cell technology offers new avenues for in vitro disease modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based approaches for modeling human brain cancer.
- To discuss the utility of iPSCs in creating brain cell types, organoids, and blood-brain barrier models.
- To highlight advancements in simulating brain tumor mutations using genome editing.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing human pluripotent stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
- Employing genome editing and genetic engineering to mimic cancer mutations.
- Developing in vitro models such as brain organoids and patient-derived xenografts.
Main Results:
- iPSCs provide renewable sources for various brain cell types and complex brain models.
- Genome editing enables simulation of germline and somatic mutations in brain tumors.
- iPSC-derived models, including 3D organoids, are effective for studying glioblastoma and medulloblastoma.
Conclusions:
- iPSC-based strategies significantly enhance brain cancer modeling capabilities.
- Combining iPSC-derived models with patient-derived xenografts will advance drug discovery.
- These advanced models hold promise for improving therapeutic development for deadly brain cancers.
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