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Neural stem cells, the subventricular zone and radiotherapy: implications for treating glioblastoma

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Abstract

Over the past decade, advances in neuroscience have suggested that neural stem cells resident in specific regions of the adult brain may be involved in development of both primary and recurrent glioblastoma. Neurogenesis and malignant transformation occurs in the subventricular zone adjacent to the lateral ventricles. This region holds promise as a potential target for therapeutic intervention with radiotherapy. However, irradiation of a larger brain volume is not without risk, and significant side effects have been observed. The current literature remains contradictory regarding the efficacy of deliberate intervention with radiation to the subventricular zone. This critical review discusses the connection between neural stem cells and development of glioblastoma, explores the behavior of tumors associated with the subventricular zone, summarizes the discordant literature with respect to the effects of irradiation, and reviews other targeted therapies to this intriguing region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Andrew W. Smith

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Minesh P. Mehta

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    A. Gabriella Wernicke

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  1. Andrew W. Smith
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  2. Minesh P. Mehta
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  3. A. Gabriella Wernicke
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Correspondence to A. Gabriella Wernicke.

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Minesh Mehta has served as a consultant for BMS, Cavion, Celldex, Elekta, Novartis, Novocure, and Roche; he has also served on the Board of Directors of Pharmacyclics with stock options and currently has institutional research grants from Cellectar and Novocure.

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Smith, A.W., Mehta, M.P. & Wernicke, A.G. Neural stem cells, the subventricular zone and radiotherapy: implications for treating glioblastoma. J Neurooncol 128, 207–216 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-016-2123-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-016-2123-z

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