Stem cells tropism for malignant gliomas

Abstract

Abstract:Various studies have demonstrated the tremendous tropism of stem cells for malignant gliomas, making these cells a potential vehicle for delivery of therapeutic genes to disseminated glioma cells. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the glioma-induced tropism of stem cells. Soluble factors including chemokines or growth factors released and expressed by glioma cells at least mediate the tropism of stem cells for gliomas. Here we review the possible mechanisms of stem cells tropism for malignant gliomas.

DNA Repair and Resistance of Gliomas to Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy

“…Whether the currently identified glioma stem cells may be the true cellof-origin for tumor initiation and progression or the results of such processes is still an open question (86,87). Further, gliomas produce factors [e.g., urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR)] that selectively attract neural stem cells (88)(89)(90)(91)(92)(93) and this has originated the question about whether stem cells may be attracted by, rather than originate, the tumor (66,(94)(95)(96). Notwithstanding, gliomas do not clash with the general cancer-stem-cell-related concept that if only a rare subset of tumor stem cells, whatever their origin, drives tumor formation, then it is important to identify this population and develop therapies that target it (97)(98)(99)(100)(101)(102)(103).…”

CXCR4-transfected human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells exhibit enhanced migratory capacity toward gliomas

“…Recently, the use of MSCs as vehicles for delivering therapeutic genes of glioma treatment was described (25). Cell-based gene therapy for gliomas depends crucially on tumor tropism.…”

“…Stem cells exhibit extensive tropism for experimental gliomas (25). To test this in hUCB-MSCs, in vitro migration assays using Transwell plates were conducted.…”

“…Factor released from glioma cells may be a potential chemoattractant involved in the tropism of stem cells (25). Among the various factors, SDF-1· has a potential role in stem cell tropism toward glioma.…”

Tumor Microenvironment — Perivascular and Perinecrotic Niches

“…Chemokines, angiogenic cytokines and glioma-produced ECM can play a role in the NSC tropism [111]. It is possible to take advantage of the natural capacity of chemokines to initiate migratory responses and to use this ability to enhance the tumor inhibitory capacity by NPCs to target an intracranially growing glioma [112].…”