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Glioma stem cells as a target for treatment

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Abstract

Glioma cells with stem cell-like properties represent a minor subfraction of the total tumor cell population. These cells are highly chemo- and radioresistent and are held responsible for the inevitable recurrence of malignant gliomas. This review summarizes current strategies for targeting putative glioma stem cells. Target definition approaches comprise extrapolation and adaptation of therapies from general oncology, target identification by correlative molecular genetic analyses, and dedicated target discovery research. Targeting strategies include inhibition of tumor-specific signaling pathways, enhancement of tumor cell differentiation, radiosensitization, indirect targeting of the tumor stem cell niche, oncolytic virotherapy, and adhesion molecule blockade.

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Acknowledgement

The authors´ work is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (LA 1300/3-1 and LA 1300/4-1), the Deutsche Krebshilfe e.V., and the Johannes Bauer Stiftung für Hirntumorforschung.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Brain Tumor Biology, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    Katrin Lamszus & Hauke S. Günther

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  1. Katrin Lamszus
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  2. Hauke S. Günther
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Correspondence to Katrin Lamszus.

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Lamszus, K., Günther, H.S. Glioma stem cells as a target for treatment. Targ Oncol 5, 211–215 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-010-0155-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-010-0155-4

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