Stem Cell Plasticity Fuels Intratumoral Niche Dynamics in Glioblastoma

Evan Joseph; Lilly J. Speier; Christopher G. Hubert

doi:10.47248/chp2502030012

Cancer Heterogeneity and Plasticity 2025;2(3):0012 | https://doi.org/10.47248/chp2502030012

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Stem Cell Plasticity Fuels Intratumoral Niche Dynamics in Glioblastoma

Evan Joseph ^1,† , Lilly J. Speier ^2,† , Christopher G. Hubert ^1,3

1. Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 44106, USA
2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 44106, USA
3. Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland OH 44106, USA

† Authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Christopher G. Hubert

Academic Editor(s): Toru Kondo

Received: May 1, 2025 | Accepted: Jul 6, 2025 | Published: Jul 17, 2025

Cite this article: Joseph E, Speier LJ, Hubert CG. Stem Cell Plasticity Fuels Intratumoral Niche Dynamics in Glioblastoma. Cancer Heterog Plast 2025; 2(3):0012. https://doi.org/10.47248/chp2502030012

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare but pivotal subpopulation of cells within the tumor that are key to maintaining tumoral heterogeneity and hierarchy in glioblastoma (GBM). They are characterized by their ability to self-renew, modify their environment, and resist multiple therapies. These CSCs are central to maintaining hierarchical organization and cellular diversity observed in GBM. They possess the ability to differentiate into different lineages, including, but not limited to neuronal and glial, contributing to the cellular diversity in the tumor mass. Intrinsically, these cells interact with multiple cell types within the tumor as well as recruit normal body cells to the tumor. These properties and interactions facilitate the establishment of complex specialized niches that support CSC maintenance and hierarchy. Understanding these multifarious tumoral organization and dynamics is essential for developing therapeutics that target the tumor at its roots.

Keywords

Cancer stem cells, glioblastoma, tumoral organization, hierarchy

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