Abstract
Abstract Cancer stem cells also known as cancer-initiating cells (CICs) are cells with stem cell-like characteristics that are present within the tumor mass. CICs are considered to be responsible for tumor initiation, maintenance and recurrence, and hence are optimal therapeutic targets against cancer. Moreover, CICs are resistant to conventional therapy and, when inoculated in immunocompromised mice, generate tumors with the same characteristics as the original tumor from the patient. We have focused our studies in CICs obtained from human glioblastoma (GICs). Analyzing human glioma biopsies, primary cultured patient-derived tumor cells, patient-derived GICs and mice reproducing the human tumor, we have discerned the mechanisms and molecular determinants of GICs. The talk will be focused on the effect of TGF-beta on GICs. TGF-beta is a cytokine with an important role in cancer and several inhibitors of the TGF-beta signaling pathway are being developed to be used as anti-cancer therapies. However, it is crucial to understand the molecular pathways implicated in the malignant role of TGF-beta in oncogenesis in order to select the patient population that may benefit from an anti-TGF-beta therapy. We have observed that TGF-beta induces the self-renewal capacity of GICs and inhibition of TGF-beta decreases the amount of GICs present in the tumor. Our results have important implications on anti-TGF-beta therapeutic approaches that are being tested in clinical trials in our Hospital. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr CN06-02.
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