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Progenitor Types in the Human Cortex in Normal Development and Glioblastoma
Antoni Martija1, Aparna Bhaduri1
1Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA;
Annual Review of Neuroscience
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Neurodevelopmental insights reveal glioblastoma (GBM) comprises cells mimicking early brain development. Understanding these parallels offers new therapeutic strategies for this aggressive brain tumor.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Human cortical development involves regulated progenitor proliferation and differentiation, creating unique brain features.
- Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with cells exhibiting uncontrolled proliferation and plasticity, resembling neurodevelopmental cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the parallels between human cortical development and glioblastoma (GBM) cellular behavior.
- To leverage insights from neurodevelopment to understand GBM heterogeneity and plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing recent lineage-tracing and fate-mapping experiments.
- Analyzing unconventional lineage relationships in both normal development and GBM.
Main Results:
- Uncovered novel cell types and their origins during normal development and in GBM.
- Revealed unconventional lineage relationships contributing to tumor heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Neurodevelopmental perspectives are crucial for understanding GBM heterogeneity and plasticity.
- This understanding can inform novel cell state reprogramming therapies for glioblastoma.
