Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). Its prognosis is one of the worst among all cancer types, and it is considered a fatal malignancy, incurable with conventional therapeutic strategies. As the bioactive multifunctional lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is well recognized to be involved in the tumorigenesis of cancers by acting on G-protein-coupled receptors, LPA receptor (LPAR) antagonists and LPA synthesis inhibitors have been proposed as promising drugs for cancer treatment. Six LPARs, named LPA1–6, are currently recognized. Among them, LPA1 is the dominant LPAR in the CNS and is highly expressed in GBM in combination with the overexpression of autotaxin (ATX), the enzyme (a phosphodiesterase, which is a potent cell motility-stimulating factor) that produces LPA.Invasion is a defining hallmark of GBM. LPA is significantly related to cell adhesion, cell motility, and invasion through the Rho family GTPases Rho and Rac. LPA1 is responsible for LPA-driven cell motility, which is attenuated by LPA4. GBM is among the most vascular human tumors. Although anti-angiogenic therapy (through the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) was established, sufficient results have not been obtained because of the increased invasiveness triggered by anti-angiogenesis. As both ATX and LPA play a significant role in angiogenesis, similar to VEGF, inhibition of the ATX/LPA axis may be beneficial as a two-pronged therapy that includes anti-angiogenic and anti-invasion therapy. Conventional approaches to GBM are predominantly directed at cell proliferation. Recurrent tumors regrow from cells that have invaded brain tissues and are less proliferative, and are thus quite resistant to conventional drugs and radiation, which preferentially kill rapidly proliferating cells. A novel approach that targets this invasive subpopulation of GBM cells may improve the prognosis of GBM. Patients with GBM that contacts the subventricular zone (SVZ) have decreased survival. A putative source of GBM cells is the SVZ, the largest area of neurogenesis in the adult human brain. GBM stem cells in the SVZ that are positive for the neural stem cell surface antigen CD133 are highly tumorigenic and enriched in recurrent GBM. LPA1 expression appears to be increased in these cells. Here, the author reviews research on the ATX/LPAR axis, focusing on GBM and an ATX/LPAR-targeted approach.

Highlights

  • Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most highly malignant type of brain tumor

  • LPA1, the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor (LPAR) responsible for LPA-driven cell motility, is predominantly expressed in GBM [4]. These important results suggest that the ATX/LPAR axis may be a target for GBM therapy

  • The author reviews current results, focusing on the promising information on the ATX/LPA/LPAR cascade that may lead to amelioration of GBM

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Summary

Introduction

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most highly malignant type of brain tumor. Despite the use of optimal treatments and an evolving standard of care (maximal safe resection with concurrent temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy and radiation therapy), the median survival of patients diagnosed with GBM is only 12 to 16 months [1]. LPA1, the LPA receptor (LPAR) responsible for LPA-driven cell motility, is predominantly expressed in GBM [4]. These important results suggest that the ATX/LPAR axis may be a target for GBM therapy.

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