Translational Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Radio-Resistance and Cancer Stem Cells: The Glioblastoma Model

Luca Triggiani, Nadia Pasinetti, Sara Pedretti, Marta Maddalo, Paolo Borghetti, Mauro Urpis, Paolo Ghirardelli, Stefano Maria Magrini and Michela Buglione

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignancy of the central nervous system (CNS). The best currently available treatment is radical surgical excision followed by association of radiotherapy and chemotherapy with Temozolomide (TMZ). Even with this aggressive treatment, almost all the patients have replace of disease, and this recurrence remains predominately local. The Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) hypothesis assumes the existence of a hierarchic tumour model with just few CSCs responsible both of the tumour growth and of the tumour resistance to radio and chemotherapy. We therefore reviewed some aspects of the complex GBM biology; these factors could potentially, in the future, impact on the design of new translational studies.