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Review
. 2021 Mar 11;10(3):621.
doi: 10.3390/cells10030621.

Cancer Stem Cells: Significance in Origin, Pathogenesis and Treatment of Glioblastoma

Karina Biserova  1 , Arvids Jakovlevs  2 , Romans Uljanovs  2 , Ilze Strumfa  2
Affiliations
Review

Cancer Stem Cells: Significance in Origin, Pathogenesis and Treatment of Glioblastoma

Karina Biserova et al. Cells. .

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), known also as tumor-initiating cells, are quiescent, pluripotent, self-renewing neoplastic cells that were first identified in hematologic tumors and soon after in solid malignancies. CSCs have attracted remarkable research interest due to their role in tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiation treatment as well as recurrence. Extensive research has been devoted to the role of CSCs in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common primary brain tumor in adults, which is characterized by a dismal prognosis because of its aggressive course and poor response to treatment. The aim of the current paper is to provide an overview of current knowledge on the role of cancer stem cells in the pathogenesis and treatment resistance of glioblastoma. The six regulatory mechanisms of glioma stem cells (GSCs)-tumor microenvironment, niche concept, metabolism, immunity, genetics, and epigenetics-are reviewed. The molecular markers used to identify GSCs are described. The role of GSCs in the treatment resistance of glioblastoma is reviewed, along with future treatment options targeting GSCs. Stem cells of glioblastoma thus represent both a driving mechanism of major treatment difficulties and a possible target for more effective future approaches.

Keywords: cancer; cancer stem cells; glioblastoma; glioma; glioma stem cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of all processes affecting glial stem cells (GSCs). [17]. CSC, cancer stem cell. License of this figure provided at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (accessed on 19 February 2021). Changes made: figure description.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of interactions between the endothelium and glioma stem cells [26]. License of this figure provided at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (accessed on 19 February 2021). Changes made: figure description.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Behavior of GSCs, processes in the tumor in the context of intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance and possible therapeutic strategies to overcome it [93]. License of this figure provided at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ (accessed on 19 February 2021). Changes made: figure description.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Major components of the tumor microenvironment and key molecular factors and pathways affecting glioma stem cell biology and chemoresistance [96]. License of this figure provided at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (accessed on 19 February 2021). Changes made: figure description.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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