[The biology of gliomas: growth factors and oncogene expression. A current review]

Abstract

In recent years several proteins with in vitro cell growth promoting activity were chemically identified and termed growth factors. Their role in normal glial development has been studied in vitro in different defined systems. In addition it has been tried to elucidate their role in the biology of gliomas. Some clues were obtained from the study of growth factor receptors and the expression of oncogenes. It has to be assumed that from the correlation and synthesis of results obtained from studies of growth factors, oncogene expression, gliogenesis and cytogenetics there will emerge useful biological concepts for specific therapeutic approaches.