The Extracellular Matrix and Biocompatible Materials in Glioblastoma Treatment

Abstract

During cancer genesis, the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the human brain undergoes important transformations, starting to resemble embryonic brain cell milieu with a much denser structure. However, the stiffness of the tumor ECM does not preclude cancer cells from migration. The importance of the ECM role in normal brain tissue as well as in tumor homeostasis has engaged much effort in trials to implement ECM as a target and an instrument in the treatment of brain cancers. This review provides a detailed analysis of both experimental and applied approaches in combined therapy for gliomas in adults. In general, matrix materials for glioma treatment should have properties facilitating the simplest delivery into the body. Hence, to deliver an artificial implant directly into the operation cavity it should be packed into a gel form, while for bloodstream injections matrix needs to be in the form of polymer micelles, nanoparticles, etc. Furthermore, the delivered material should mimic biomechanical properties of the native tissue, support vital functions, and slow down or stop the proliferation of surrounding cells for a prolonged period. The authors propose a two-step approach aimed, on the one hand, at elimination of remaining cancer cells and on the other hand, at restoring normal brain tissue. Thereby, the first bioartificial matrix to be applied should have relatively low elastic modulus should be loaded with anticancer drugs, while the second material with a higher elastic modulus for neurite outgrowth support should contain specific factors stimulating neuroregeneration.

LTBP1 plays a potential bridge between depressive disorder and glioblastoma

“…Additionally, glioma cells can secrete their own ECM components, including HA, brevikan, tenascin C and thrombospondin, as well as fibronectin, which are actively expressed in the ECM of the developing nervous system along cell migration paths. [52,53]. This could partly explain that the in vitro GBM cell could also proliferate significantly different in our experiment.…”

LTBP1 plays a potential bridge between depressive disorder and glioblastoma

“…Additionally, glioma cells can secrete their own ECM components, including HA, brevikan, tenascin C and thrombospondin, as well as bronectin, which are actively expressed in the ECM of the developing nervous system along cell migration paths. [52,53]. This could partly explain that the in vitro GBM cell could also proliferate signi cantly different in our experiment.…”

Stereotactic Cavity Irradiation or Whole-Brain Radiotherapy Following Brain Metastases Resection—Outcome, Prognostic Factors, and Recurrence Patterns

“…Besides the risk of iatrogenic tumor spread during neurosurgical resection, the early re-growth and potential meningeal spread of residual macroscopic tumor is a serious risk, leading to early local recurrence (34)(35)(36). It is facilitated by the specific pro-proliferatory cavity microenvironment, combined with a deficient blood-brain barrier, as has been demonstrated following the resection of malignant gliomas (37). The risk of postoperative LMD has been quantified to between 11% and up to 24% in 2 years in several retrospective series for patients receiving post-operative SRS.…”