Brain Tumors May Derive from Brain Stem Cells

Investigators have found that glioblastoma tumor cells derived from brain tumors of patients can maintain their stem cell properties and may be induced to differentiate under certain conditions in tissue culture. Their study appears in the July 2002 issue of GLIA.

When excised glioma cells were grown in culture, they behaved like stem cells but exhibited abnormal growth. The stem cells and their progeny also contained genes that were different from the genes found in normal brain tissue, and some of these genes did not turn on as they do in normal cells.

"Our observations suggest it is possible that tumor formation occurs when stem cells originating in a particular part of the brain--which continually divide and regenerate--go too far in the process of reproduction,” said Dr. Dennis Steindler from the Departments of Neuroscience and Neurosurgery at the University of Florida (Gainesville, USA).

"In recent years, it has been theorized that there may be a connection between brain tumors and stem cells,” Dr. Steindler said. "We believe we have the first evidence this is true, and that it starts with stem cells that may have been produced in the region we call the brain marrow, near the brain's central core and the fluid-filled ventricles. It appears that brain marrow stem cells home to an area where the brain is trying to repair itself, but while doing so--because these cells have to repopulate themselves to carry out the healing mission--may go too far and produce tumors.”

The researchers say the findings could lead to new treatments that would rehabilitate the errant cells by redirecting their normal growth into a more controlled pattern, rather than by killing the malignant cells, as current treatments are intended to do.