Distinct pools of cancer stem-like cells coexist within human glioblastomas and display different tumorigenicity and independent genomic evolution

S. G M Piccirillo, R. Combi, L. Cajola, A. Patrizi, S. Redaelli, A. Bentivegna, S. Baronchelli, G. Maira, B. Pollo, A. Mangiola, F. DiMeco, L. Dalprà, A. L. Vescovi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

144 Scopus citations

Abstract

Glioblastomas (GBMs) contain transformed, self-maintaining, multipotent, tumour-initiating cancer stem cells, whose identification has radically changed our perspective on the physiology of these tumours. Currently, it is unknown whether multiple types of transformed precursors, which display alternative sets of the complement of properties of true cancer stem cells, can be found in a GBM. If different subsets of such cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) do exist, they might represent distinct cell targets, with a differential therapeutic importance, also depending on their characteristics and lineage relationship. Here, we report the presence of two types of CSCs within different regions of the same human GBM. Cytogenetic and molecular analysis shows that the two types of CSCs bear quite diverse tumorigenic potential and distinct genetic anomalies, and, yet, derive from common ancestor cells. This provides critical information to unravel the development of CSCs and the key molecular/genetic components underpinning tumorigenicity in human GBMs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1807-1811
Number of pages5
JournalOncogene
Volume28
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 16 2009

Keywords

  • Brain tumours
  • Cancer stem-like cells
  • Tumorigenicity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Distinct pools of cancer stem-like cells coexist within human glioblastomas and display different tumorigenicity and independent genomic evolution'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this