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There goes the neighborhood: Vascular niche nurtures brain tumor stem cells
January 17, 2007Self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs) comprise only a tiny fraction of most brain tumors, but eliminating them is likely to have a profound impact on the ability of a tumor to survive and grow. However, CSCs might resist traditional therapies that target the great bulk of the cells in cancers. Now, new research published in the January 2007 issue of the journal Cancer Cell, published by Cell Press, reveals that small blood vessels associated with brain tumors orchestrate a distinct microenvironment that is critical for maintaining CSCs. Importantly, antiangiogenic drugs that disrupt this microenvironment reduce the CSC population and arrest tumor growth.
Dr. Richard J. Gilbertson and colleagues from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital established that CSCs in human brain tumors are associated with blood vessels and that vascular cells physically interact with and maintain brain CSCs in culture. A similar interaction was not observed for the bulk of non-CSC tumor cells. To examine whether the vessel-derived factors promote maintenance of CSCs and tumor propagation in vivo, the researchers transplanted human brain tumors into mice with or without vascular cells. The mice with extra vascular cells exhibited an increase in CSCs as well as enhanced initiation and proliferation of tumors. The authors also found that when antiangiogenic therapies were used to diminish tumor blood vessels, CSCs were reduced and tumor growth was arrested, further supporting the importance of the vascular microenvironment to CSCs.
"Our data identify a possible role for niche microenvironments in the maintenance of CSCs and identify a mechanism by which antiangiogenic drugs inhibit brain tumor growth," concludes Dr. Gilbertson. "If the notion that niches protect CSCs proves correct, then targeting these microenvironments could prove highly effective treatments of cancer." Further research and clinical trials are needed to investigate this important new mechanism associated with antiangiogenic cancer therapies. It seems likely that effective cancer treatments must target both the bulk of rapidly proliferating tumor cells and the smaller population of self-renewing CSCs.
Cell Press
Cell Press
Brain Tumor Current Events and Brain Tumor News RSSCancer metabolism discovery uncovers new role of IDH1 gene mutation in brain cancer
Agios Pharmaceuticals today announced that its scientists have established, for the first time, that the mutated IDH1 gene has a novel enzyme activity consistent with a cancer-causing gene, or oncogene.
Barrow study identifies new way to biopsy brain tumors in real time
A new miniature, hand-held microscope may allow more precise removal of brain tumors and an easier recognition of tumor locations during surgery.
Men leave: Separation and divorce far more common when the wife is the patient
A woman is six times more likely to be separated or divorced soon after a diagnosis of cancer or multiple sclerosis than if a man in the relationship is the patient, according to a study that examined the role gender played in so-called "partner abandonment." The study also found that the longer the marriage the more likely it would remain intact.
Childhood cancer survivors less likely to marry, Yale researchers find
Adult survivors of childhood cancer are 20 to 25 percent more likely to never marry compared with siblings and the general population, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Brain tumors in childhood leave a lasting mark on cognition, life status
Brain tumors in childhood cast a long shadow on survivors. The first study of the lasting impact of these tumors -- the most common solid malignancies in childhood -- shows that survivors have ongoing cognitive problems.
Angiochem crosses BBB, shows safety, efficacy in phase 1/2 brain cancer studies
Angiochem, Inc. a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing drugs that are uniquely capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to treat brain diseases, announced today that its lead drug candidate, ANG1005, has demonstrated a favorable safety and efficacy profile in more than 100 patients with brain cancer from two separate Phase 1 /2 clinical studies in patients with progressive gliomas, including recurrent glioblastoma, and in patients with progressive brain metastases.
Researchers report benefits of new standard treatment study for rare pediatric brain cancer
A team of researchers led by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center unveiled results today from the largest-ever collaborative study addressing the treatment of a rare pediatric brain tumor.
Unequal access: Hispanic children rarely get top-notch care for brain tumors
Hispanic children diagnosed with brain tumors get high-quality treatment at hospitals that specialize in neurosurgery far less often than other children with the same condition, potentially compromising their immediate prognosis and long-term survival, according to research from Johns Hopkins published in October's Pediatrics.
tudy: The new buzz on detecting tinnitus
It's a ringing, a buzzing, a hissing or a clicking - and the patient is the only one who can hear it. Complicating matters, physicians can rarely pinpoint the source of tinnitus, a chronic ringing of the head or ears that can be as quiet as a whisper or as loud as a jackhammer.
New Approach for the Treatment of Malignant Brain Tumors
Initial chemotherapy alone after surgery is just as successful as initial radiation therapy for patients from whom a very malignant brain tumor (anaplastic glioma) was removed. With this treatment, the patients survive on average > 30 months without a recurrence.
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Brain Tumors: Finding the Ark. Meeting the Challenges of Treatment Choices, Side Effects, Childrens Issues, Healthcare Costs and Long Term adjustment by Paul M. Zeltzer (Author) In this sequel to Brain Tumors: Leaving the Garden of Eden, Dr. Paul continues to guide you through the brain tumor minefield so you have the best chances for quality survival. Here are the key answers to questions about medications, side effects and late effects of treatment, insurance, Medicare & HMOs, clinical trials, heredity, brain tumors in children, Complementary and Alternative Medicines & Lists of 250 major brain tumor treatment centers worldwide (30 blk-and-white illustrations , 350 websites and other resources to contact.) |
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