未来脑肿瘤治疗的新靶点:脑肿瘤干细胞

Brain Tumor Stem Cells:New Therapeutic Target in the Future

脑肿瘤组织为非均质群体,其中存在少量具有自我更新、增殖和致瘤性的脑肿瘤干细胞(brain tumor stem cells,BTSCs)。尽管它们的数量极少,却是脑肿瘤发生、发展和治疗后复发的根源。目前,脑肿瘤干细胞相关分子标记及其致瘤机制是神经肿瘤研究的热点领域。针对BTSCs自我更新的相关分子机制研究,是阐明BTSCs致瘤原理的关键环节,并将为开发有效治疗肿瘤的药物提供明确的切入点和特异的靶标。

Cancers are composed of heterogeneous cell populations. Recent studies have demonstrated the existence of a small fraction of cells with features of self-renewal, proliferation and tumorigenic potential in brain tumors. These cells, known as brain tumor stem cells （BTSCs）, are responsible for tumorigenesis, progression and recurrence. A significant effort is underway to identify both BTSCs-speeific markers and the molecular mechanism underlying the tumorigenic potential of these cells. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms that underlie the ability of these cells to self-renew may allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies that will allow for more efficacious and less toxic therapies for these devastating malignancies.