Transcription Factor Discovery Opens Up New Therapies For Glioblastoma Multiforme

Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have identified four transcription factors that distinguishes glioblastoma cells.

The four transcription factors identified were POU3F2, SOX2, SALL2 and OLIG2.

Transcription factors are proteins that regulates the expression of other genes. In this case, the transcription factors can zero in on a small ratio of glioblastoma cells responsible for the aggressiveness and treatment resistance of the deadly brain tumor.

A glioma is a tumor that commonly starts in the brain but can also manifest in the spine. These gliomas are categorized into grades from Grade I to Grade IV. Glioblastoma Multiforme is the most aggressive and deadly and is classified as a Grade IV Glioma.

Glioblastoma multiforme or GBM is the deadliest brain cancer around. It is also the most common. A patient diagnosed with GBM usually has one to two years to live.

By knowing the transcription factors responsible for the glioblastoma cells, therapies can be modeled that would target these factors. This discovery opens up the opportunity of finding new and alternative ways of treating this extremely difficult disease.

Potential Glioblastoma Treatment Through Mesenchymal Stem Cells Under Study

Researchers have found that stem cells from human fat can be used as a treatment for Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme or GBM is the deadliest brain cancer around. It is also the most common. A patient diagnosed with GBM usually has one to two years to live.

In GBM, tumors called gliomas start in the brain or spine. Mild forms of GBM is considered Grade I GMB while the most aggressive and deadliest is Grade IV GBM. A Grade IV GBM is the most advanced and the hardest to treat of all the types.

In the study, using stem cells from both fat and bone marrow may lead to a treatment for GBM.

Stem cells are cells that can transform into a higher form of cell such as a tissue or organ. This process of transformation is called differentiation. There are many kinds of stem cells in the body and are related to a specific function or biological system.

For example, heart stem cells are used to form tissues and organs related to the heart. Blood stem cells are related to functions and elements of blood. There are also brain stem cells that grow into cells used by the brain.

The most commonly known stem cell is the embryonic stem cell. It is a special kind of stem cell because of its pluripotency. Pluripotency is the ability to differentiate into different kind of cells regardless of the biological system.

Using 5 ALA Fluorescence in Surgical Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

The University of California San Francisco describes the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence to aid in visualizing tumor cells and differentiating them from other brain tissue during the surgical treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme.

5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) makes brain tumor cells glow hot pink when illuminated with a special blue light incorporated into an operating microscope during surgery. The light helps to identify and remove tumor cells in a process called Fluorescent Guided Resection (FGR).

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and also the deadliest of brain cancers around. This form of cancer is very aggressive and a patient diagnosed with GBM has one to two years to live.

The cancerous tumor, called a glioma, starts in the brain or the spine. These gliomas are graded I to IV depending on how advanced the disease is. A Grade I GBM is the least advanced and offers the best prognosis. A Grade IV GBM is considered the most advanced and the hardest to treat.

Gliomas are groups of tumors that arise from the glia. Glias are non-neuronal cells that maintain homeostasis. They form myelin (a protective layer of cells), and provide support and protection for neurons in the brain within the central nervous system (CNS).