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Nafe R, Hattingen E. Cellular Components of the Tumor Environment in Gliomas-What Do We Know Today? Biomedicines 2023; 12:14. [PMID: 38275375 PMCID: PMC10813739 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A generation ago, the molecular properties of tumor cells were the focus of scientific interest in oncology research. Since then, it has become increasingly apparent that the tumor environment (TEM), whose major components are non-neoplastic cell types, is also of utmost importance for our understanding of tumor growth, maintenance and resistance. In this review, we present the current knowledge concerning all cellular components within the TEM in gliomas, focusing on their molecular properties, expression patterns and influence on the biological behavior of gliomas. Insight into the TEM of gliomas has expanded considerably in recent years, including many aspects that previously received only marginal attention, such as the phenomenon of phagocytosis of glioma cells by macrophages and the role of the thyroid-stimulating hormone on glioma growth. We also discuss other topics such as the migration of lymphocytes into the tumor, phenotypic similarities between chemoresistant glioma cells and stem cells, and new clinical approaches with immunotherapies involving the cells of TEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhold Nafe
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinics of Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Schleusenweg 2-16, D-60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
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Rodriguez SMB, Kamel A, Ciubotaru GV, Onose G, Sevastre AS, Sfredel V, Danoiu S, Dricu A, Tataranu LG. An Overview of EGFR Mechanisms and Their Implications in Targeted Therapies for Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11110. [PMID: 37446288 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite all of the progress in understanding its molecular biology and pathogenesis, glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive types of cancers, and without an efficient treatment modality at the moment, it remains largely incurable. Nowadays, one of the most frequently studied molecules with important implications in the pathogenesis of the classical subtype of GBM is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Although many clinical trials aiming to study EGFR targeted therapies have been performed, none of them have reported promising clinical results when used in glioma patients. The resistance of GBM to these therapies was proven to be both acquired and innate, and it seems to be influenced by a cumulus of factors such as ineffective blood-brain barrier penetration, mutations, heterogeneity and compensatory signaling pathways. Recently, it was shown that EGFR possesses kinase-independent (KID) pro-survival functions in cancer cells. It seems imperative to understand how the EGFR signaling pathways function and how they interconnect with other pathways. Furthermore, it is important to identify the mechanisms of drug resistance and to develop better tailored therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mara Baez Rodriguez
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", Soseaua Berceni 12, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Amira Kamel
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", Soseaua Berceni 12, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gheorghe Vasile Ciubotaru
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", Soseaua Berceni 12, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gelu Onose
- Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", Soseaua Berceni 12, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ani-Simona Sevastre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Str. Petru Rares nr. 2-4, 710204 Craiova, Romania
| | - Veronica Sfredel
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Str. Petru Rares nr. 2-4, 710204 Craiova, Romania
| | - Suzana Danoiu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Str. Petru Rares nr. 2-4, 710204 Craiova, Romania
| | - Anica Dricu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Str. Petru Rares nr. 2-4, 710204 Craiova, Romania
| | - Ligia Gabriela Tataranu
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", Soseaua Berceni 12, 041915 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", 020022 Bucharest, Romania
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Rodriguez SMB, Staicu GA, Sevastre AS, Baloi C, Ciubotaru V, Dricu A, Tataranu LG. Glioblastoma Stem Cells-Useful Tools in the Battle against Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094602. [PMID: 35562993 PMCID: PMC9100635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are cells with a self-renewal ability and capacity to initiate tumors upon serial transplantation that have been linked to tumor cell heterogeneity. Most standard treatments fail to completely eradicate GSCs, causing the recurrence of the disease. GSCs could represent one reason for the low efficacy of cancer therapy and for the short relapse time. Nonetheless, experimental data suggest that the presence of therapy-resistant GSCs could explain tumor recurrence. Therefore, to effectively target GSCs, a comprehensive understanding of their biology and the survival and developing mechanisms during treatment is mandatory. This review provides an overview of the molecular features, microenvironment, detection, and targeting strategies of GSCs, an essential information required for an efficient therapy. Despite the outstanding results in oncology, researchers are still developing novel strategies, of which one could be targeting the GSCs present in the hypoxic regions and invasive edge of the glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mara Baez Rodriguez
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.M.B.R.); (V.C.); (L.G.T.)
| | - Georgiana-Adeline Staicu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (G.-A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Ani-Simona Sevastre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - Carina Baloi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (G.-A.S.); (C.B.)
| | - Vasile Ciubotaru
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.M.B.R.); (V.C.); (L.G.T.)
| | - Anica Dricu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (G.-A.S.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ligia Gabriela Tataranu
- Neurosurgical Department, Clinical Hospital “Bagdasar-Arseni”, 041915 Bucharest, Romania; (S.M.B.R.); (V.C.); (L.G.T.)
- Department 6—Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
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