Molecular targets of glioma invasion

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and lethal primary malignant brain tumor. Although considerable progress has been made in technical proficiencies of surgical and radiation treatment for brain tumor patients, the impact of these advances on clinical outcome has been disappointing, with median survival time not exceeding 15 months. Over the last 30 years, no significant increase in survival of patients suffering from this disease has been achieved. A fundamental source of the management challenge presented in glioma patients is the insidious propensity of tumor invasion into distant brain tissue. Invasive tumor cells escape surgical removal and geographically dodge lethal radiation exposure and chemotherapy. Recent improved understanding of biochemical and molecular determinants of glioma cell invasion provide valuable insight into the underlying biological features of the disease, as well as illuminating possible new therapeutic targets. These findings are moving forward to translational research and clinical trials as novel antiglioma therapies.

Mer receptor tyrosine kinase promotes invasion and survival in glioblastoma multiforme

“…Invasion is initiated when tumour cells become detached from the growing tumour mass and invade into the surrounding parenchyma. 32 Cells lacking MerTK expression or activity showed elevated adherent capacity (Figures 3c, 4c and 5b), possibly reflecting the involvement of MerTK activity in the establishment of signalling networks between tumour cells and the microenvironment in vivo and, thus, in an early step of tumour cell dissemination. 33 --35 Our data show that MerTK expression and phosphorylation in U373 cells is substantially upregulated during culture in NBM (Figures 4a and 5a).…”

Caffeine Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Regulates PKA/GSK3β Pathways in U87MG Human Glioma Cells

“…Gliomas are the most common primary tumors arising within the brain (Nakada et al, 2007). Although surgery followed by chemotherapy is the normal treatment regimen for gliomas, most malignant gliomas are resistant to chemotherapeutic agents.…”

Signaling adaptor protein Crk is indispensable for malignant feature of glioblastoma cell line KMG4

“…In addition, characteristic features of malignant glioma are its elevated cell motility and invasion which are currently known to be regulated by various molecules such as extracellular matrix, integrins, matrix metalloproteinases, growth factor receptors, focal adhesion kinases, PI-3 kinase, small GTPase, and transcription factors [15][16][17].…”