Transcription factors distinguishing glioblastoma stem cells identified

Thursday, April 10, 2014 - 15:01 in Biology & Nature

The activity of four transcription factors -- proteins that regulate the expression of other genes -- appears to distinguish the small proportion of glioblastoma cells responsible for the aggressiveness and treatment resistance of the deadly brain tumor. "We have identified a code of 'molecular switches' that control a very aggressive subpopulation of brain cancer cells, so-called glioblastoma stem cells," says a co-lead of the study. "Understanding what drives these aggressive cells will give us insights into alternative ways of eliminating them and potentially changing the course of this very deadly tumor."

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