GLIOMA Project, the results
 |
Glioblastoma: identification of new cancer stem Targeting glioblastoma by inhibiting the activity of its stem cells. This is one of the possible treatment strategies that medical science could adopt in the future in order to fight one of the most common and malignant cancers affecting the central nervous system. As much is suggested by the GLIOMA project, which has united Italian and Slovenian researchers in the identification and validation of new biomarkers for glioblastoma cells and their stem cells through systems biology, which combines a molecular approach with bioinformatics.
|
|
Several new biomarkers have been unveiled, some of which might be useful in precision treatment and the monitoring of response to therapy. In particular, thanks to nano antibody technologies, some highly specific markers for glioblastoma stem cells have been identified.
One of the main obstacles encountered in treating this type of cancer cancer is linked to its great cellular heterogeneity. The researchers have proved that in the microenvironment of brain cancers - across multiple stages - there is a presence of non-tumorigenic cells, which enhance the aggressiveness of glioma cells and which might represent a new target for pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, these cells’superficial markers are highly useful in making forecasts about the disease’s progression, which enables a taylor-made clinical approach to be adopted. These new potential prognostic factors and pharmaceutical targets are now being tested in a significant European clinical research.
The GLIOMA project has been funded by the Programme for Italian and Slovenian Cross-border Cooperation 2007-2013, coordinated by professor Tamara Lah Turnšek of the National Biology Institute (NIB),Ljubljana, the project's lead partner. Other partners participating in the project are: Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Udine, Azienda ULSS 14, Chioggiaand the University of Ljubljana(through its University Clinical Centre). The press release  |
