The role of cancer stem cells (CD133(+)) in malignant gliomas.
Malignant gliomas, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors, are very difficult to treat by conventional approaches. Although most of the tumor mass can be removed by surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, it eventually recurs. There is growing evidence that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in tumor recurrence. These stem cells are radioresistant and chemoresistant. The most commonly used tumor marker for CSCs is CD133. The amount of CSC component is closely correlated with tumor malignancy grading. Isolating, identifying, and treating CSCs as the target is crucial for treating malignant gliomas. CSC-associated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes tumor angiogenesis, tumor hemorrhage, and tumor infiltration. Micro-RNA (miRNA) plays a role in CSC gene expression, which may regulate oncogenesis or suppression to influence tumor development or progression. The antigenesis of CSCs and normal stem cells may be different. The CSCs may escape the T-cell immune response. Identifying a new specific antigen from CSCs for vaccine treatment is a key point for immunotherapy. On the other hand, augmented treatment with radiosensitizer or chemosensitizer may lead to reduction of CSCs and lead to CSCs being vulnerable to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The control of signaling pathway and cell differentiation to CSC growth is another new hope for treatment of malignant gliomas. Although the many physiological behavioral differences between CSCs and normal stem cells are unclear, the more we know about these differences the better we will be able to treat CSCs effectively.
Cho
Der-Yang
DY
Department of Neurosurgery, Neuropsychiatric Center, Cell/Gene Therapy Research Laboratory, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
Lin
Shinn-Zong
SZ
Yang
Wen-Kuang
WK
Hsu
Den-Mei
DM
Lin
Hung-Lin
HL
Lee
Han-Chung
HC
Lee
Wen-Yeun
WY
Chiu
Shao-Chih
SC
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D006023:Glycoproteins; D035683:MicroRNAs; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents