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Neural stem cells and glioblastoma stem cells: Redefining concepts
Víctor M Arce1, Lara González-Rendo1, Laura Porres-Ventín1
1Molecular Oncology Laboratory MOL, Departamento de Fisioloxia, CIMUS, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
|February 6, 2026
Summary
Stem cells (SCs) offer therapeutic potential but face challenges like ethical concerns and directing differentiation. Some evidence suggests SCs may also contribute to cancers like glioblastoma.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Cancer research
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- Stem cells (SCs) are undifferentiated cells crucial for tissue repair and homeostasis.
- SCs possess significant therapeutic potential, leading to cell-based therapies.
- Challenges include ethical/legal issues, differentiation control, immune rejection, and potential tumorigenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the dual role of stem cells in tissue regeneration and cancer development.
- To investigate the proposed origin of glioblastoma from neural stem cells.
- To understand the contribution of glioblastoma stem cells to tumor growth.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on stem cell biology and therapy.
- Examination of evidence linking stem cells to cancer origins, specifically glioblastoma.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms involving neural stem cells and glioblastoma stem cells.
Main Results:
- Stem cells are vital for tissue repair but present therapeutic hurdles.
- Concerns exist regarding the safety and ethical sourcing of stem cells.
- Accumulating evidence suggests stem cells, particularly neural stem cells, may originate glioblastoma.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell therapies hold promise but require careful consideration of risks and challenges.
- Neural stem cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma.
- Glioblastoma stem cells interact with the tumor microenvironment, influencing tumor progression.
Keywords:
Cancer stem cellsCellular reprogrammingGlioblastomaGlioblastoma stem cellsTumor microenvironmentMore Related Videos
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