Brain tumor stem cells as research and treatment targets.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most malignant forms of human cancer. Despite intensive treatment, the mean survival of GBM patients remains about 1 year. Recent cancer studies revealed that cancer tissues are pathologically heterogeneous and only a small population of cells has the specific ability to reinitiate cancer. This small cell population is called cancer stem cells (CSCs); in brain tumors these are known as brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs). The identification of BTSCs yielded new insights into chemo-and radioresistance, by which BTSCs can survive selectively and initiate recurrence. Research focused on BTSCs as treatment targets may contribute to the discovery of new therapeutic strategies.
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Takuichiro
T
Laboratory for Cell Lineage Modulation, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan. thide@fc.kuh.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
Takezaki
Tatsuya
T
Nakamura
Hideo
H
Kuratsu
Junichi
J
Kondo
Toru
T
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018450:Disease Progression; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents