Brain Cancer Stem Cells: The Emerging Role of Chromatin in Glioma Biology

Abstract

Glioma encompasses a heterogeneous group of primary brain tumors of astroglial/neural stem cell origin. In most cases, these tumors can be isolated and maintained in neural stem cell culture conditions where they behave alike neural stem cells and express neural stem cell markers. In adults, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most common and deadly brain tumor and can be sub-classify in 4 types based on marker expression and cell phenotype. Though to be highly distinct from adult GBM based on the unique genetic mutation profile and resistance to temozolomide treatment, pediatric glioma may be much closer to GBM when analyzed at the chromatin level. Recent progress in genetics and chromatin biology suggests that a common finality links adult and pediatric glioma. Herein, we will discuss the implication of these findings for the development of new therapies against these deadly tumors.