Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2012, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (14): 2637-2640.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.14.034

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Research progress in brain tumor stem cells

Wang Xin-xin1, Liu Ji-ping2   

  1. 1Department of Pathology, Baotou Medical College of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou  014010, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 2Department of Neurosurgery, Staff Hospital of Inner Mongolia North Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd., Baotou  014030, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2011-07-25 Revised:2011-09-06 Online:2012-04-01 Published:2012-04-01
  • Contact: author: Liu Ji-ping, Associate chief physician, Department of Neurosurgery, Staff Hospital of Inner Mongolia North Heavy Industries Group Co., Ltd., Baotou 014030, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Wang Xin-xin★, Master, Lecturer, Department of Pathology, Baotou Medical College of Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014040, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China 57667478@qq.com

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Research in recent years has discovered some stem cell-like cells exist in brain tumors, which have the properties of endless cell proliferation, uncontrolled self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation, and they are called as brain tumor stem cells. Brain tumor stem cells play a key role in the progress of tumorigenesis, growth, invasion, metastasis and recurrence.
OBJECTIVE: To conclude and explore the current studies on brain tumor stem cells.
METHODS: A computer-based search of Pubmed Database was performed to retrieve relevant articles about brain tumor and brain tumor stem cells published from January 1977 to July 2011. Books on stem cells and brain tumor stem cells were also retrieved. The data were selected primarily, and 32 articles related to brain tumor stem cells were selected.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Brain tumor stem cells exist in malignant brain tumor, and they are the origin of the occurrence, development, metastasis and recurrence of malignant brain tumor. Brain tumor stem cells express CD133, Nestin protein and ABC transporter in malignant brain tumors. Recently, a simple method has been obtained to isolate brain tumor stem cells. The proportion of CD133 positive tumor stem cells is positively correlated with the severity of malignant brain tumors, which can be used as a diagnostic indicator of prognosis.

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