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. 2022 Apr 9;23(8):4166.
doi: 10.3390/ijms23084166.

Systematic Review on Tumor Microenvironment in Glial Neoplasm: From Understanding Pathogenesis to Future Therapeutic Perspectives

Andrea Bianconi  1 , Gelsomina Aruta  1 , Francesca Rizzo  1 , Luca Francesco Salvati  2 , Pietro Zeppa  1 , Diego Garbossa  1 , Fabio Cofano  1   3
Affiliations

Systematic Review on Tumor Microenvironment in Glial Neoplasm: From Understanding Pathogenesis to Future Therapeutic Perspectives

Andrea Bianconi et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Despite the multidisciplinary management in the treatment of glioblastomas, the average survival of GBM patients is still 15 months. In recent years, molecular biomarkers have gained more and more importance both in the diagnosis and therapy of glial tumors. At the same time, it has become clear that non neoplastic cells, which constitute about 30% of glioma mass, dramatically influence tumor growth, spread, and recurrence. This is the main reason why, in recent years, scientific research has been focused on understanding the function and the composition of tumor microenvironment and its role in gliomagenesis and recurrence. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent discovery about resident microglia, tumor-associated macrophages, lymphocytes, and the role of extracellular vesicles and their bijective interaction with glioma cells. Moreover, we reported the most recent updates about new therapeutic strategies targeting immune system receptors and soluble factors. Understanding how glioma cells interact with non-neoplastic cells in tumor microenvironment is an essential step to comprehend mechanisms at the base of disease progression and to find new therapeutic strategies for GBM patients. However, no significant results have yet been obtained in studies targeting single molecules/pathways; considering the complex microenvironment, it is likely that only by using multiple therapeutic agents acting on multiple molecular targets can significant results be achieved.

Keywords: GAMs; extracellular vesicles; glioma; microenvironment; microglia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The content of this manuscript, in part or in full, has not been published elsewhere in any form. I, Andrea Bianconi certify that this manuscript is a unique submission and is not being considered for publication with any other source in any medium.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram showing the article selection process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Summary of main communication pathways between GAM, microglia, and Glioma cells.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation of glioma-TME communication through EVs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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