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Intranasal Delivery of Therapeutic Stem Cells to Glioblastoma in a Mouse Model
Published on: June 4, 2017
Advances in stem cell-based therapeutic transfers for glioblastoma treatment
Mainak Bardhan1, Muneeb Ahmad Muneer2, Abhinav Khare3
1Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, FL, USA.
Introduction:
Glioblastoma (GBM), a highly malignant brain tumor, has a poor prognosis despite standard treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) play a critical role in recurrence and therapy resistance. Stem cell-based therapies have emerged as innovative approaches, leveraging the tumor-targeting abilities of stem cells to deliver treatments directly to GBM.
Areas Covered:
This review focuses on using intact stem cells or subtypes for GBM therapy, excluding antigenic characteristics. The stem cell-based therapies explored include neural, mesenchymal, glioblastoma, hematopoietic and adipose-derived stem cells that have been investigated in both clinical and preclinical settings. A systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Scopus had identified research up until January 2024. Key mechanisms reviewed include immune modulation, angiogenesis inhibition, and apoptosis induction. Discussion of completed and ongoing trials include emphasis on safety, efficacy, challenges, and study design limitations.
Expert Opinion:
Stem cell-based therapies hold promise for treating GBM by targeting GSCs and improving treatment outcomes. Despite some potential advantages, challenges such as tumorigenesis risks, delivery complexities, and sustained therapeutic effects persist. Future research should prioritize optimizing stem cell modifications, combining them with current treatments, and conducting large-scale trials to ensure safety and efficacy. Integrating stem cell therapies into GBM treatment could provide more effective and less invasive options for patients.
Insights
Stem cell therapies offer a novel approach to treating glioblastoma (GBM) by targeting glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Research explores various stem cell types for GBM treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a highly aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options.
- Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are implicated in tumor recurrence and resistance to conventional therapies.
- Stem cell-based therapies present a promising strategy for targeted GBM treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of stem cell-based therapies for glioblastoma.
- To explore the mechanisms, clinical applications, and challenges of using various stem cell types in GBM treatment.
- To discuss the future directions and potential of stem cell integration in GBM therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Scopus up to January 2024.
- Review of studies investigating neural, mesenchymal, glioblastoma, hematopoietic, and adipose-derived stem cells for GBM.
- Analysis of therapeutic mechanisms, including immune modulation, angiogenesis inhibition, and apoptosis induction.
Main Results:
- Various stem cell types have been explored in preclinical and clinical settings for GBM therapy.
- Key therapeutic mechanisms involve modulating the tumor microenvironment and directly impacting cancer cells.
- Completed and ongoing trials highlight safety and efficacy considerations, alongside study design limitations.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell-based therapies show potential for improving glioblastoma treatment outcomes by targeting GSCs.
- Challenges include risks of tumorigenesis, delivery methods, and achieving sustained effects.
- Further research and large-scale trials are needed to optimize stem cell modifications and integration with existing treatments.
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