Glioblastoma centre and periphery: two aspects of the same disease

Objective: One of the hallmark features of glioblastoma (GBM) is the infiltrative nature of tumor cells. Even after complete macroscopic resection, some of the most invasive GBM cells remain in the surrounding brain parenchyma. It was the goal of this study to obtain a functional profile of these cells.

Methods: Tissue was derived from experimental biopsies performed at the tumor resection margin after completion of standard neurosurgery. Tumor cells were isolated, expanded under controlled in vitro conditions and profiled (qPCR, FISH, FACS, SNP-genotyping, xenotransplantation) in direct comparison to cells obtained from the same tumor's centre region.

Results: Paired tissue specimens were investigated from 30 GBM patients. Sample analysis revealed consistent dissimilarities between cells derived from GBM centre and periphery. Tumor cell cultures vary in their proliferative and invasive capacity, in their content of stem/progenitor cells, in their molecular profile and in their sensitivity to standard treatment regimens.

Conclusion: The analysis of GBM centre cells has only limited value for predicting intra-individual profiles of GBM periphery cells. Comprehensive insight into the biology of GBM requires the comparative study of both tumor regions.