On a molecular level, glioma is very diverse and presents a whole spectrum of specific genetic and epigenetic alterations. The tumors are unfortunately resistant to available therapies and the survival rate is low. The explanation of significant intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity and the infiltrative capability of gliomas, as well as its resistance to therapy, recurrence and aggressive behavior, lies in a small subset of tumor-initiating cells that behave like stem cells and are known as glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs). They are responsible for tumor plasticity and are influenced by genetic drivers. Additionally, GCSCs also display greater migratory abilities. A great effort is under way in order to find ways to eliminate or neutralize GCSCs. Many different treatment strategies are currently being explored, including modulation of the tumor microenvironment, posttranscriptional regulation, epigenetic modulation and immunotherapy.
在分子水平上，胶质瘤具有高度异质性，呈现出一系列特定的遗传和表观遗传改变。遗憾的是，这类肿瘤对现有疗法具有耐药性，患者生存率较低。胶质瘤显著的瘤内与瘤间异质性、浸润性生长能力、治疗抵抗性、复发倾向及侵袭行为，均可归因于一类具有干细胞特性的肿瘤起始细胞亚群——胶质瘤癌症干细胞。这类细胞主导肿瘤可塑性并受遗传驱动因子调控，同时展现出更强的迁移能力。目前学界正致力于探索清除或抑制胶质瘤癌症干细胞的方法，诸多治疗策略正在研究中，包括肿瘤微环境调控、转录后调控、表观遗传修饰及免疫疗法等。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家