c-Myc Is Required for Maintenance of Glioma Cancer Stem Cells
2008

c-Myc's Role in Glioma Cancer Stem Cells

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Wang Jialiang, Wang Hui, Li Zhizhong, Wu Qiulian, Lathia Justin D., McLendon Roger E., Hjelmeland Anita B., Rich Jeremy N.

Primary Institution: Duke University

Hypothesis

c-Myc may contribute to cancer stem cell biology in gliomas.

Conclusion

c-Myc is essential for the proliferation and survival of glioma cancer stem cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • c-Myc is highly expressed in glioma cancer stem cells compared to non-stem glioma cells.
  • Knockdown of c-Myc reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis in glioma cancer stem cells.
  • Glioma cancer stem cells with decreased c-Myc levels failed to form tumors in mice.

Takeaway

c-Myc helps cancer stem cells in gliomas grow and survive, so stopping it could help treat brain tumors.

Methodology

The study used real-time PCR, immunoblotting, and flow cytometry to analyze c-Myc expression and its effects on glioma cancer stem cells.

Limitations

The study could not definitively determine if c-Myc is required for self-renewal due to limited viability of neurospheres formed by c-Myc depleted cells.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003769

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