Stem Cell Biology In Neoplasms Of The Central Nervous System

This volume presents the most current reviews on how cancer stem cells (CSCs) hypothesis dictates that the continued proliferation of a tumor is dependent on a sub-population of self-renewing and asymmetrically dividing neoplastic stem cells that supply a largely differentiated tumor. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of CSCs, their role in central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and the recent CSC-specific treatment modalities being used. The emerging focus on CSCs in brain tumors represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the pathogenesis of these neoplasms. Importantly, the realization that a distinct sub-population of cells contributes disproportionately to the growth and sustenance of central nervous system tumors has important implications for the treatment of such tumors. To treat CNS tumors, there is now a growing need to treat CSCs to achieve adequate tumor control.

This publication focuses on the biology of stem and progenitor cells in the developing and mature central nervous system, their response to trauma and potential uses in therapy. The authors, who are leading experts in the field, address topical questions from both basic and clinical neuroscience perspectives such as: non-invasive imaging of stem cell division; the origins of regional diversity in cell types and cell numbers in the stem cell progeny; factors that regulate generation of neurons and glial cells from stem cells during normal development; the role of genetic and environmental factors in the regulation of stem cell function; the role of stem cells in mediating the effects of brain trauma and its recovery, and the therapeutic uses of stem cells. Offering a unique compilation of articles on the biology and the therapeutic applications of stem cells in the embryonic and mature nervous systems, this volume will be of great value to neuroscientists, developmental biologists, cancer biologists and clinical neurologists.

This volume is based on a meeting of the Fondation IPSEN, held in Paris on Sep tember 18, 1995 to address the main issues of nervous system stem cells biology. Cell replacement in the adult mammals is not unusual outside the nervous sys tem. In fact, the nervous system is unique in lacking the ability to replace cells, following damage. Most neurons, in the adult central nervous system are termin of the organism and are not replaced ally differentiated, exist through the life when they die. There are, however, regions of the postnatal brain that continue to produce new neurons, but the fate and longevity of those cells are not well known. Evidence exists that small populations of neurons continue to be born in the adult ventricular zone, olfactory epithelium and hippocampus. In the adult hippocampus, newly born neurons originate from putative stem cells that exist in the sub granular zone of the dentate gyrus. Progeny of these putative stem cells differentiate into neurons in the granular layer within a month of the cells' birth, and this late neurogenesis continues throughout the adult life of the rodent. By understanding the nature of progenitor cells present in the embryonic and adult brains, the change in their population dynamics during development, and the factors that influence their proliferation, fate choice and differentiation, it may be possible to develop a strategy to manipulate cells in situ to treat neuro degenerative diseases or the injured adult brain.

This expanded and updated edition reflects the enormous increase in our knowledge of the development of the nervous system and the use of neural stem cells in clinical applications. Integrating new information about the use of development of neural stem cells for clinical applications, Drs. Rao, Carpenter and Vemuri have added additional chapters on neural transplantation and development of neural stem cells using reprogramming technologies. A new chapter on cancer in nervous system delineates how the fundamental biology of neural stem cells informs our understanding of cancer and tumor formation in the nervous system. Special attention is paid to the derivation of neural cells from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Authoritative and up-to-date, Neural Development and Stem Cells, 3rd Edition provides neuroscientists with a handy guide to stem cells in the nervous system, tracing with great clarity the development of stem cells from differentiation to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.

This comprehensive, yet practical, text is a ready collection of the most up-to-date information on primary CNS tumors. Authored by a carefully selected group of the world’s leading clinicians and scientists, the book is divided into three sections. The opening chapters cover general principles, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, tumor stem cells, supportive care, complications of therapy, and quality of life. The remaining two sections are comprised of treatment-oriented chapters covering the spectrum of gliomas and rarer tumor types. Each of these chapters presents multi-disciplinary therapeutic approaches and addresses specific disease concerns. Throughout, the authors incorporate the cutting-edge advances in molecular biology and genomics that are revolutionizing neuro-oncology. The result is an important clinical resource which provides evidence-based data and interpretation essential to intelligent therapeutic decision making.

Vast therapeutic applications of the following specific stem cells in disease and tissue injury are discussed: embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, human hair follicle stem cells, bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, periodontal/progenitor cells, cancer stem cells, and breast cancer stem cells. Because human embryonic stem cells possess the potential to produce unlimited quantities of any human cell type, considerable focus is placed on this type of stem cells in this volume. The role of cancer stem cells, specifically in breast cancer is explained. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells to aid the injured brain is included. Immune recovery after stem cells transplantation in severe combined immunodeficiency patients is described. The role of mesenchymal stem cells in enhancing the growth and metastasis of colon cancer is discussed. Clinical application of human follicle stem cells is presented. Treatment of malignant gliomas using genetically-modified neural stem cells as a marker is discussed. The impact of cancer stem cell hypothesis on designing new cancer therapies is explained. In the field of regenerative medicine, the use of stem cells in the repair of the central nervous system, tendon injury, and as a cardiac regenerative medicine is described. The role of DNA methylation in maintaining stemness induced pluripotent stem cells from human extraembryonic amnion cells is discussed. Insights on the understanding of molecular pathways involved in tumor biology are explained, which lead to the development of effective drugs. Information on pathways, such as hedgehog, facilitates targeted therapies in cancer.

Stem Cells and CNS Development critically reviews recent findings on stem cells, their involvement in neurogenesis and gliogenesis, and the therapeutic implications of these findings. It defines by consensus the classes of stem cells in the nervous system, compares their similarities and differences, discusses the gains made in identifying human homologs of neural stem cells, and describes how these cells are beginning to be used for therapeutic purposes. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, this book provides all developmental scientists and neurobiologists not only an authoritative account of the current results in neural stem cell research, but also an incisive review of the rapidly emerging therapeutic uses of stem cells.