Brain cancer propagating cells: biology, genetics and targeted therapies

Cancer propagating cells (CPCs) within primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors (glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), medulloblastoma (MB) and ependymoma) might be integral to tumor development and perpetuation. These cells, also known as brain cancer propagating cells (BCPCs), have the ability to self...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in molecular medicine 2009-11, Vol.15 (11), p.519-530
Main Authors: Hadjipanayis, Costas G, Van Meir, Erwin G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain Neoplasms - genetics
Brain Neoplasms - pathology
Brain Neoplasms - therapy
Ependymoma - genetics
Ependymoma - pathology
Ependymoma - therapy
Glioblastoma - genetics
Glioblastoma - pathology
Glioblastoma - therapy
Humans
Mice
Pathology
Stem Cells - cytology
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Summary:Cancer propagating cells (CPCs) within primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors (glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), medulloblastoma (MB) and ependymoma) might be integral to tumor development and perpetuation. These cells, also known as brain cancer propagating cells (BCPCs), have the ability to self-renew and proliferate. BCPCs can initiate new tumors in mice with high efficiency and these exhibit many features that are characteristic of patient's brain tumors. Accumulating evidence suggests that BCPCs might originate from the transformation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and their progenitors. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that NSC surface markers also define BCPCs. Ultimately, treatments that include specific targeting of BCPCs might potentially be more effective at treating the entire tumor mass, translating to improved patient survival and quality of life.
ISSN:1471-4914
1471-499X
DOI:10.1016/j.molmed.2009.09.003