Cancer stem cells and "stemness" genes in neuro-oncology.

摘要: The main properties of stem cells include long-term self-renewal and the capacity to give rise one or more types differentiated progeny. Recently, much evidence was provided that leukemia tumor maintenance growth are sustained by a small proportion exhibiting cell properties. In neural tumors, have been detected in glioblastoma, medulloblastoma ependymoma. These observations imply normal could be origin cancer cells; alternatively, progeny may revert "stem-like" status, cells. adult brain residual located hippocampus, subventricular zone possibly cerebellum. However, for ability (astroglia, oligodendroglia) convert into "stem cells" vitro has also provided, thus greatly expanding potential target oncogenic mutations. framework hypothesis, genes originally identified as important essential support well. Stem act several ways: they stimulate self-replication, inhibit differentiation, control excessive replication might lead "exhaustion" pool. Mutations man mouse, spontaneous experimental often lying their functional pathway, examples being Sonic hedgehog Wnt pathways. Interestingly, overexpressed even if not mutated. This suggests these generation from precursors, maintenance. Cancer partially differentiate vivo, seemingly progeny, like cells: thus, defect, leading cancer, lie unbalance between self-replication terminal differentiation this minority population. Knowledge extrinsic diffusible factors affecting activity help identifying tools inducing which use therapy.