Role of glioma stem cells in promoting tumor chemo- and radioresistance: A systematic review of potential targeted treatments

BACKGROUND

Gliomas pose a significant challenge to effective treatment despite advancements in chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Glioma stem cells (GSCs), a subset within tumors, contribute to resistance, tumor heterogeneity, and plasticity. Recent studies reveal GSCs’ role in therapeutic resistance, driven by DNA repair mechanisms and dynamic transitions between cellular states. Resistance mechanisms can involve different cellular pathways, most of which have been recently reported in the literature. Despite progress, targeted therapeutic approaches lack consensus due to GSCs’ high plasticity.

AIM

To analyze targeted therapies against GSC-mediated resistance to radio- and chemotherapy in gliomas, focusing on underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted across major medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) up to September 30, 2023. The search strategy utilized relevant Medical Subject Heading terms and keywords related to including “glioma stem cells”, “radiotherapy”, “chemotherapy”, “resistance”, and “targeted therapies”. Studies included in this review were publications focusing on targeted therapies against the molecular mechanism of GSC-mediated resistance to radiotherapy resistance (RTR).

RESULTS

In a comprehensive review of 66 studies on stem cell therapies for SCI, 452 papers were initially identified, with 203 chosen for full-text analysis. Among them, 201 were deemed eligible after excluding 168 for various reasons. The temporal breakdown of studies illustrates this trend: 2005-2010 (33.3%), 2011-2015 (36.4%), and 2016-2022 (30.3%). Key GSC models, particularly U87 (33.3%), U251 (15.2%), and T98G (15.2%), emerge as significant in research, reflecting their representativeness of glioma characteristics. Pathway analysis indicates a focus on phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (27.3%) and Notch (12.1%) pathways, suggesting their crucial roles in resistance development. Targeted molecules with mTOR (18.2%), CHK1/2 (15.2%), and ATP binding cassette G2 (12.1%) as frequent targets underscore their importance in overcoming GSC-mediated resistance. Various therapeutic agents, notably RNA inhibitor/short hairpin RNA (27.3%), inhibitors (e.g., LY294002, NVP-BEZ235) (24.2%), and monoclonal antibodies (e.g., cetuximab) (9.1%), demonstrate versatility in targeted therapies. among 20 studies (60.6%), the most common effect on the chemotherapy resistance response is a reduction in temozolomide resistance (51.5%), followed by reductions in carmustine resistance (9.1%) and doxorubicin resistance (3.0%), while resistance to RTR is reduced in 42.4% of studies.

CONCLUSION

GSCs play a complex role in mediating radioresistance and chemoresistance, emphasizing the necessity for precision therapies that consider the heterogeneity within the GSC population and the dynamic tumor microenvironment to enhance outcomes for glioblastoma patients.

Key Words: Glioma stem cells, Chemoresistance, Radioresistance, Molecular pathways, Targeted therapies, Systematic review

Core Tip: The challenge of treating gliomas persists despite advancements in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with glioma stem cells (GSCs) contributing to resistance and tumor heterogeneity. This systematic literature review, covering 66 studies, underscores the intricate role of GSCs in therapeutic resistance, particularly highlighting their involvement in DNA repair mechanisms and dynamic cellular state transitions. Targeted therapies face challenges due to GSCs’ high plasticity, and the review emphasizes the need for precision treatments that account for GSC population heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment’s dynamic nature. Versatile therapeutic agents, including RNA inhibitor/short hairpin RNA, inhibitors (e.g., LY294002, NVP-BEZ235), and monoclonal antibodies (e.g., cetuximab), demonstrate efficacy in overcoming GSC-mediated resistance. Notably, the most common effect on the chemo- and radiotherapy response is a reduction in temozolomide resistance, highlighting the potential for improved outcomes by disrupting GSC-mediated resistance mechanisms in glioblastoma patients.

• Citation: Agosti E, Zeppieri M, Ghidoni M, Ius T, Tel A, Fontanella MM, Panciani PP. Role of glioma stem cells in promoting tumor chemo- and radioresistance: A systematic review of potential targeted treatments. World J Stem Cells 2024; 16(5): 604-614
• URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/1948-0210/full/v16/i5/604.htm
• DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v16.i5.604