Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019 Feb 15:1-7. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

1Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Goethe University; Departments of.

Tumors of the central nervous system represent the largest group of solid tumors found in pediatric patients. Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common pediatric glioma, mostly located in the posterior fossa. The majority of brainstem tumors, however, are classified as highly aggressive diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) and their prognosis is dismal. Read More

Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019 Feb 15:e27664. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Front Chem 2019 31;7:15. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.

Brain tumor, as any type of cancer, is assumed to be sustained by a small subpopulation of stem-like cells with distinctive properties that allow them to survive conventional therapies and drive tumor recurrence. Thus, the identification of new molecules capable of controlling stemness properties may be key in developing effective therapeutic strategies for cancer by inducing stem-like cells differentiation. Spiropyrazoline oxindoles have previously been shown to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as upregulate p53 steady-state levels, while decreasing its main inhibitor MDM2 in the HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cell line. Read More

Stem Cell Res 2019 Feb 7;35:101390. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Biomedicine, Pharmazentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Notch signalling regulates neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation, differentiation and survival for the correct development and functioning of the central nervous system. Overactive Notch2 signalling has been associated with poor prognosis of aggressive brain tumours, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We recently reported that constitutive expression of the Notch2 intracellular domain (N2ICD) enhances proliferation and gliogenesis in NSCs. Read More

Cell Rep 2019 Feb;26(7):1893-1905.e7

Department of Translational Molecular Pathology and Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:

Unresectable glioblastoma (GBM) cells in the invading tumor edge can act as seeds for recurrence. The molecular and phenotypic properties of these cells remain elusive. Here, we report that the invading edge and tumor core have two distinct types of glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) that resemble proneural (PN) and mesenchymal (MES) subtypes, respectively. Read More

Brain 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

'Plasticity of Central Nervous System, Stem Cells and Glial Tumours' group, INSERM U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.

Negative motor responses (NMRs) are defined as movement arrests induced by direct electrical stimulation of the brain. The NMRs manifest themselves after the disruption of a corticosubcortical network involved in motor control, referred to as the 'negative motor network'. At present, the spatial topography of the negative motor areas (NMAs) is poorly known. Read More

Hum Gene Ther Clin Dev 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University , No. 2094 Xietu Road , Shanghai , Shanghai, China , 200032 ;

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most prevalent brain tumor and exhibit poor prognosis. Radiotherapy is an important strategy for GBMs patients, however, this care remains palliative because of GBMs' radioresistance. Glioma stem cells (GSCs), as a subpopulation residing at the apex of the hierarchy, have been believed to be a pivotal population in radioresistance and recurrence of GBMs. Read More

EBioMedicine 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Fondazione Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare 'Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: The V-ATPase proton pump controls acidification of intra and extra-cellular milieu in both physiological and pathological conditions. We previously showed that some V-ATPase subunits are enriched in glioma stem cells and in patients with poor survival. In this study, we investigated how expression of a GBM-like V-ATPase pump influences the non-neoplastic brain microenvironment. Read More

Front Mol Neurosci 2019 24;12. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.

Bruton's tyrosine-kinase (BTK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase recently associated with glioma tumorigenesis and a novel prognostic marker for poor survival in patients with glioma. The p65BTK is a novel BTK isoform involved in different pathways of drug resistance of solid tumors, thus we aimed to investigate the expression and the putative role of p65BTK in tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). We selected a large cohort of patients with glial tumors ( = 71) and analyzed the expression of p65BTK in different histotypes and correlation with clinical parameters. Read More

Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

CRUK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK.

Despite decades of research, brain tumours remain among the deadliest of all forms of cancer. The ability of these tumours to resist almost all conventional and novel treatments relates, in part, to the unique cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental properties of neural tissues. In an attempt to encourage progress in our understanding and ability to successfully treat patients with brain tumours, Cancer Research UK convened an international panel of clinicians and laboratory-based scientists to identify challenges that must be overcome if we are to cure all patients with a brain tumour. Read More

PLoS One 2019 7;14(2):e0211980. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Gatchina, Russia.

Malignant transformation is associated with loss of cell differentiation, anaplasia. Transcription factors gli, required for embryonic development, may be involved in this process. We studied the activity of transcription factors gli in high-grade gliomas and their role in maintenance of stem cell state and glioma cell survival. Read More

Oncol Lett 2019 Feb 12;17(2):2123-2130. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.

There is compelling evidence that brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), harbor a small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs). These CSCs have the ability to undergo self-renewal, initiate tumors , and are resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The present study determined the spatial distribution of CSCs within the donated brains of two deceased patients affected by glioblastoma multiforme. Read More

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL.

Background/objectives: Dosimetric studies show that proton therapy can reduce the low/intermediate radiation dose to uninvolved tissue in children with low-grade glioma (LGG). For this reason, LGG is the 4th most common pediatric tumor treated with proton therapy, yet clinical outcome data on efficacy and toxicity are limited.

Design/methods: We reviewed the medical records of 174 children (≤21 years old) with non-metastatic LGG enrolled on a prospective protocol and treated with proton therapy between 2007 and 2017 to assess clinical outcomes and toxicity, and analyze patient, tumor, and treatment-related variables. Read More

Nat Commun 2019 01 25;10(1):448. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Pediatrics-Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Few studies implicate immunoregulatory gene expression in tumor cells in arbitrating brain tumor progression. Here we show that fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) is highly expressed in glioma stem cells and primary glioblastoma (GBM) cells. FGL2 knockout in tumor cells did not affect tumor-cell proliferation in vitro or tumor progression in immunodeficient mice but completely impaired GBM progression in immune-competent mice. Read More

Cancer Res 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Biological Sciences, UNIST

Glioblastoma (GBM) cancer stem cells (CSC) are primarily responsible for metastatic dissemination, resistance to therapy, and relapse of GBM, the most common and aggressive brain tumor. Development and maintenance of CSC require orchestrated metabolic rewiring and metabolic adaptation to a changing microenvironment. Here we show that cooperative interplay between the mitochondrial chaperone TRAP1 and the major mitochondria deacetylase sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) in glioma stem cells (GSC) increases mitochondrial respiratory capacity and reduces production of reactive oxygen species. Read More

JCI Insight 2019 Jan 24;4(2). Epub 2019 Jan 24.

German Cancer Consortium, Heidelberg, Germany.

Tumor radioresistance leading to local therapy failure remains a major obstacle for successful treatment of high-grade glioma. We hypothesized that distinct radiobiological features of particle therapy with carbon ions may circumvent glioma radioresistance. We demonstrate that carbon irradiation (CIR) efficiently eradicates radioresistant patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSCs), leading to growth inhibition and prolonged survival. Read More

Glia 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Gliomas are a heterogenous group of malignant primary brain tumors that arise from glia cells or their progenitors and rely on accurate diagnosis for prognosis and treatment strategies. Although recent developments in the molecular biology of glioma have improved diagnosis, classical histological methods and biomarkers are still being used. The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a classical marker of astrocytoma, both in clinical and experimental settings. Read More

Am J Transl Res 2018 15;10(11):3370-3384. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Shandong University Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China.

G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-5 (GRK5) plays essential roles in multiple celluar events. However, its role in the development and progression of glioma is poorly understood. In this research, we found that GRK5 is significantly upregulated in human gliomas. Read More

Cancer Res 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

There is an unmet need for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The extracellular matrix (ECM), including laminins, in the tumor microenvironment is important for tumor invasion and progression. In a panel of 226 patient brain glioma samples, we found a clinical correlation between the expression of tumor vascular laminin-411 (α4β1γ1) with higher tumor grade and with expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers including Notch pathway members, CD133, Nestin, and c-Myc. Read More

Clin Epigenetics 2019 Jan 17;11(1):11. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Neurobiology Center, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur Str, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland.

Background: The diagnosis of glioblastoma (GBM), a most aggressive primary brain tumor with a median survival of 14.6 months, carries a dismal prognosis. GBMs are characterized by numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations, affecting patient survival and treatment response. Read More

Autophagy 2019 Jan 18:1-12. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

a The Ken & Ruth Devee Department of Neurology, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute , The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern Universityd Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , IL , USA.

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a natural intracellular process that maintains cellular homeostasis and protects cells from death under stress conditions. Autophagy sustains tumor survival and growth when induced by common cancer treatments, including IR and cytotoxic chemotherapy, thereby contributing to therapeutic resistance of tumors. In this study, we report that the expression of MIR93, noted in two clinically relevant tumor subtypes of GBM, influenced GSC phenotype as well as tumor response to therapy through its effects on autophagy. Read More

J Neurosci 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Pediatrics, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA 60637.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and lethal tumor types. Evidence continues to accrue indicating that the complex relationship between GBM and the brain microenvironment contributes to this malignant phenotype. However, the interaction between GBM and neurotransmitters, signaling molecules involved in neuronal communication, remains incompletely understood. Read More

J Pineal Res 2019 Jan 16:e12556. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacology, Asan Medical Center, AMIST, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant glioma and most lethal form of human brain cancer (Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2016;20:S2). GBM is also one of the most expensive and difficult cancers to treat by the surgical resection, local radiotherapy, and temozolomide (TMZ) and still remains an incurable disease. Read More

Oncotarget 2018 Dec 14;9(98):37112-37124. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

Pediatric diffuse midline glioma is a highly morbid glial neoplasm that may arise in the thalamus or brainstem (also known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma or DIPG). Because tumor anatomic location precludes surgical resection, diagnosis and treatment is based on MR imaging and analysis of biopsy specimens. Up to 80% of pediatric diffuse midline gliomas harbor a histone H3 mutation resulting in the replacement of lysine 27 with methionine (K27M) in genes encoding histone H3 variant H3. Read More

Cancer Cell 2019 Jan;35(1):7-9

Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Department of Pediatrics/Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G1X8, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3H7, Canada; Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3H7, Canada. Electronic address:

Diffuse intrinsic brain stem gliomas (DIPGs) with characteristic K27M mutation of H3.3 are lethal and poorly understood childhood cancers. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Larson et al. Read More

Stem Cells 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

Tumorigenic and non-neoplastic tissue injury occurs via the ischemic microenvironment defined by low oxygen, pH, and nutrients due to blood supply malfunction. Ischemic conditions exist within regions of pseudopalisading necrosis, a pathological hallmark of glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults. To recapitulate the physiologic microenvironment found in GBM tumors and tissue injury, we developed an in vitro ischemic model and identified chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7) as a novel ischemia-regulated gene. Read More

Cancer 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

Background: Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) and low-grade glioneuronal tumors (LGGNTs) diagnosed during the first year of life carry unique clinical characteristics and challenges in management. However, data on the treatment burden, outcomes, and morbidities are lacking.

Methods: A retrospective study of LGGs and LGGNTs diagnosed in patients younger than 12 months at St. Read More

Childs Nerv Syst 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Neurosurgery, Liv Hospital Ulus, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of sodium fluorescein (Na-Fl)-guided surgery with the use of the PENTERO 900 surgical microscope (Carl Zeiss, Meditec, Oberkochen, Germany) equipped with the YELLOW-560-nm filter and low-dose Na-Fl (2 mg/kg) in pediatric brain tumor surgery.

Methods: The study included 23 pediatric patients with various intracranial pathologies, who underwent Na-Fl-guided surgery between April 2015 and February 2018. Clinical features, surgical observations, extent of resection, and tumor histopathology were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Neurosci Bull 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China.

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is the main cause of brain tumor-related death among children. Until now, there is still a lack of effective therapy with prolonged overall survival for this disease. A typical strategy for preclinical cancer research is to find out the molecular differences between tumor tissue and para-tumor normal tissue, in order to identify potential therapeutic targets. Read More

Cancer Cell 2019 Jan 27;35(1):140-155.e7. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. Electronic address:

Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) are incurable childhood brainstem tumors with frequent histone H3 K27M mutations and recurrent alterations in PDGFRA and TP53. We generated genetically engineered inducible mice and showed that H3.3 K27M enhanced neural stem cell self-renewal while preserving regional identity. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2018 Dec 26;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xin Ling Road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China.

Malignant gliomas are the most aggressive forms of brain tumors; whose metastasis and recurrence contribute to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Glioma stem cell-like cells are a subpopulation of tumor-initiating cells responsible for glioma tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence and resistance to therapy. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported to be dysregulated in most cancers, including gliomas and its functions are closely linked to initiating tumor metastasis and a very poor prognosis. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Dec 21:1-5. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Departments of1Neurologic Surgery.

Glioblastoma (GBM) of the internal auditory canal (IAC) is exceedingly rare, with only 3 prior cases reported in the literature. The authors present the fourth case of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and IAC GBM, and the first in which the lesion mimicked a vestibular schwannoma (VS) early in its natural history. A 55-year-old man presented with tinnitus, hearing loss, and imbalance. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Dec 21:1-6. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Departments of1Neurosurgery and.

Maffucci syndrome (MS) and Ollier disease (OD) are nonhereditary congenital diseases characterized by multiple enchondromas and/or chondrosarcomas. Recent studies have implicated somatic mosaic mutations of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 or 2 (IDH1/2) as contributing to the pathogenesis of MS and OD. Occasionally, patients with these disorders may also present with central nervous system (CNS) tumors; however, detailed genetic analyses are limited. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Dec 21:1-7. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Departments of1Neurological Surgery and.

OBJECTIVEConvection-enhanced delivery (CED) has been explored as a therapeutic strategy for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Variables that may affect tolerance include infusate volume, infusion rate, catheter trajectory, and target position. Supratentorial approaches for catheter placement and infusate distribution patterns may conflict with corticospinal tracts (CSTs). Read More

J Pathol 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Brain Tumour Research Group, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

The overall survival for patients with primary glioblastoma is very poor. Glioblastoma contains a subpopulation of glioma stem cells (GSC) that are responsible for tumour initiation, treatment resistance and recurrence. PPARα is a transcription factor involved in the control of lipid, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Read More

Int J Cancer 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Owing to the limited therapeutic efficacy of glioma vaccines, new strategies are required to improve cancer vaccines. Our study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of a glioma vaccine called STDENVANT. This vaccine, comprising glioma stem-like cell (GSC) lysate, dendritic cells (DCs), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 agonist CpG motif-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs), was assessed using a GL261-C57BL/6 orthotopic mouse model of glioma. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018 Dec 18:1-311. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

a Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine , Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Mount Sinai Hospital , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.

Introduction: Although brainstem gliomas are a rare group of neoplasias, when they affect pregnant women, there can be challenges with diagnosis and management. This study describes a case of brainstem glioma diagnosed in pregnancy and systematically reviews the literature on brainstem gliomas in pregnancy to provide guidance for management.

Material And Methods: We searched five databases from inception until October 2016 using subject headings and keywords related to pregnancy and brainstem glioma, and included original research articles that described pregnancy outcomes in women with brainstem glioma. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2018 Dec 5;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM), a malignant form of glioma, is characterized by resistance to therapy and poor prognosis. Accumulating evidence shows that the initiation, propagation, and recurrence of GBM is attributable to the presence of GBM stem cells (GBM-CSCs).

Experimental Approach: Herein, we investigated the effect of 4-Acetylantroquinonol B (4-AAQB), a bioactive isolate of , on GBM cell viability, oncogenic, and CSCs-like activities. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2018 Dec 17;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, Australia.

The EphA3 receptor has recently emerged as a functional tumour-specific therapeutic target in glioblastoma (GBM). EphA3 is significantly elevated in recurrent disease, is most highly expressed on glioma stem cells (GSCs), and has a functional role in maintaining self-renewal and tumourigenesis. An unlabelled EphA3-targeting therapeutic antibody is currently under clinical assessment in recurrent GBM patients. Read More

Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Objective/background: Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Ki-67 is a nonhistone nuclear protein that is expressed by cells entering the mitotic cycle and is associated with the transcription of ribosomal RNA (rRNA). In gliomas, the extent of expression of Ki-67 is roughly proportional to the histologic grade. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 12 14;9(1):5315. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary adult brain tumor. Despite extensive efforts, the median survival for GBM patients is approximately 14 months. GBM therapy could benefit greatly from patient-specific targeted therapies that maximize treatment efficacy. Read More

J Neurosurg Pediatr 2018 Dec 1:1-10. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

6Department of Neurological Surgery, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.

OBJECTIVEIn this clinical trial report, the authors analyze safety and infusion distribution of IL13-Pseudomonas exotoxin, an antitumor chimeric molecule, administered via intratumoral convection enhanced delivery (CED) in pediatric patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).METHODSThis was a Phase I single-institution, open-label, dose-escalation, safety and tolerability study of IL13-PE38QQR infused via single-catheter CED into 5 pediatric DIPG patients. IL13-PE38QQR was administered to regions of tumor selected by radiographic findings. Read More

Oncol Rep 2019 Jan 30;41(1):246-256. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China.

Glioma is one of the most deadly central nervous system tumors around the world. Uncontrollable cell proliferation and invasion are key factors of cancer progression as well as glioma. Available evidence suggests that bromodomain PHD‑finger transcription factor (BPTF) plays an important role in stem cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as in progression of some tumors, but there is little data on glioma. Read More

J Robot Surg 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.

Tumours located within the brainstem comprise approximately a tenth of all paediatric brain tumours. Surgical biopsy of these tumours is technically challenging and has historically been associated with considerable risk. To this end, robot-assisted surgery theoretically allows for increased accuracy and precision. Read More

Cell Death Dis 2018 Dec 11;9(12):1190. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas Network(CGGA) and Asian Glioma Genome Atlas Network (AGGA), Beijing, China.

As aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is a novel stem cell marker, increasing studies have confirmed that high ALDH activity promotes tumorigenesis and progression in cancers. Some preliminary studies have found that ALDH1A3 may play an important role in glioma malignant progression, but so far there was no conclusive conclusion. The purpose of our study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which ALDH1A3 regulated in glioma and to provide practical tools for clinical application. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2019 Feb 5;1863(2):491-501. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Viale Padre Pio, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: We recently reported TRIM8, encoding an E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a gene aberrantly expressed in glioblastoma whose expression suppresses cell growth and induces a significant reduction of clonogenic potential in glioblastoma cell lines.

Methods: we provided novel insights on TRIM8 functions by profiling the transcriptome of TRIM8-expressing primary mouse embryonal neural stem cells by RNA-sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Functional analysis including luciferase assay, western blot, PCR arrays, Real time quantitative PCR were performed to validate the transcriptomic data. Read More

J Cancer 2018 31;9(23):4463-4476. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Tiantanxili 6, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.

Gliomas arising in the brainstem are rare tumours that are difficult to surgically resect, and the microRNAs (miRNAs) and signalling pathways associated with brainstem gliomas (BSGs) are largely unknown. To identify grade-associated miRNAs in BSGs, a microarray analysis of 10 low-grade and 15 high-grade BSGs was performed in this study. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) were identified, and the functional DE-miRNAs were selected. Read More

Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2018 30;3(1):228-241. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana.

Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are bioactive cannabinoids. We recently showed that acute THC administration drives region-dependent changes in the mouse brain lipidome. This study tested the hypothesis that cell lines representing cell types present in the central nervous system (CNS), neurons (N18 cells), astrocytes (C6 glioma cells), and microglia (BV2 cells) would respond differently to THC, CBD, or their combination. Read More

Front Cell Neurosci 2018 19;12:388. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Centre for Genomic and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia.

Cellular quiescence is a reversible, non-cycling state controlled by epigenetic, transcriptional and niche-associated molecular factors. Quiescence is a condition where molecular signaling pathways maintain the poised cell-cycle state whilst enabling rapid cell cycle re-entry. To achieve therapeutic breakthroughs in oncology it is crucial to decipher these molecular mechanisms employed by the cancerous milieu to control, maintain and gear stem cells towards re-activation. Read More

Neoplasma 2019 Jan 4;66(1):118-127. Epub 2018 Sep 4.

Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.

Glioma is the most common sub-type of brain tumor. Due to the presence of stem-like cells, it is characterized by poor prognosis, aggressive ability and high post-surgical recurrence rates. Hence, there is critical need to identify molecular mechanisms of glioma stem-like cells. Read More