CANCER STEM CELL IN GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive tumor that typically exhibits treatment failure with high mortality rates, is associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor. CSCs possess the ability for perpetual self-renewal and proliferation, producing downstream progenitor cells that drive tumor growth. Studies of many cancer types, have identified CSCs using specific markers, but it is still unclear as to where in the stem cell hierarchy these markers fall. This review examines the current knowledge on the CSCs markers SALL4, OCT-4, SOX2, STAT3, NANOG, c-Myc, KLF4, CD133, CD44, nestin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, specifically focusing on their use and validity in GBM research and how they may be utilized for investigations into GBMs cancer biology.