Review
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World J Stem Cells. Apr 26, 2014; 6(2): 230-238
Published online Apr 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i2.230
Glioblastoma stem cells: Molecular characteristics and therapeutic implications
Nermin Sumru Bayin, Aram Sandaldjian Modrek, Dimitris George Placantonakis
Nermin Sumru Bayin, Aram Sandaldjian Modrek, Dimitris George Placantonakis, Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Nermin Sumru Bayin, Stem Cell Biology Training Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Aram Sandaldjian Modrek, Medical Scientist Training Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Dimitris George Placantonakis, Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Dimitris George Placantonakis, Brain Tumor Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
Author contributions: Bayin NS, Modrek AS and Placantonakis DG solely contributed to this paper.
Supported by Bayin NS received support from NYSTEM Institutional training grant, No. CO26880; Modrek AS received support from the Medical Scientist Training Program at NYU School of Medicine; Placantonakis DG received support from NIH/NINDS 1R21NS087241-01, NIH/NCI 2P30CA016087-33, NIH/NCATS UL1 TR000038; NYU Cancer Institute and NYU Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Correspondence to: Dimitris George Placantonakis, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Skirball 8R, New York, NY 10016, United States. dimitris.placantonakis@nyumc.org
Telephone: +1-212-2632441 Fax: +1-212-2638042
Received: January 1, 2014
Revised: January 25, 2014
Accepted: April 11, 2014
Published online: April 26, 2014
Processing time: 117 Days and 7 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Stem-like cells in glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, have increased tumorigenic capacity, generate tumor lineages and exhibit marked resistance to current therapies. A better understanding of these stem-like cells is necessary for designing new effective treatments. This review discusses the molecular characteristics of these cells and their therapeutic importance.