What is it about?
In this study we identify a gene that is turned on in the immune system surrounding brain tumor (glioblastoma) cells. This gene is called "Amphiregulin" and we show by observing cells in culture that it is responsible for the malignant behavior of the tumor cells.
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Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Glioblastoma is a type of brain cancer and is one of the deadliest human cancers with a very poor prognosis and very little treatment options. The major feature of glioblastoma which makes it so malignant is the ability of tumor cells to spread rapidly throughout healthy brain. Targeting the Amphiregulin gene using novel chemotherapeutic approaches could limit the spread of glioblastoma cells in the brain.
Perspectives
This paper represented several years of work where genes downstream of CSF-1R signaling in glioblastoma associated macrophages that play a role in tumor cell invasion were identified. Newer and more effective targets for glioblastoma are urgently needed.
Salvatore Coniglio
Kean University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Microglial-stimulation of glioma invasion involves the EGFR ligand amphiregulin, PLoS ONE, November 2021, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260252.
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