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Brain tumor stem cells as research and treatment targets

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Abstract

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Cell Lineage Modulation, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan

    Takuichiro Hide, Tatsuya Takezaki & Toru Kondo

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan

    Takuichiro Hide, Tatsuya Takezaki, Hideo Nakamura & Junichi Kuratsu

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  1. Takuichiro Hide
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  2. Tatsuya Takezaki
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  3. Hideo Nakamura
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  4. Junichi Kuratsu
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  5. Toru Kondo
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Correspondence to Takuichiro Hide.

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Hide, T., Takezaki, T., Nakamura, H. et al. Brain tumor stem cells as research and treatment targets. Brain Tumor Pathol 25, 67–72 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10014-008-0237-5

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