The human body has an incredible complexity. The body is able to deal with different health issues in its own unique way. The body, with good intentions, starts healing when something is wrong. What if the same healing process has a negative outcome? You read that right. According to the latest research, the healing process which kicks in following or trauma, infection, or other brain injuries, can lead to the development of cancer.
Researchers from Toronto found that when they analyzed cells from 26 patients who had a common, but aggressive, form of brain cancer called glioblastoma it was discovered that mutations could derail the process that is supposed to generate new cells to replace lost ones and increase tumour growth.
Peter Dirks is a Professor at the University of Toronto. He said that “our data suggests that injury can modify the right mutational changes in certain brain cells to cause a tumour.”
These findings could lead to the development of new treatments for patients with glioblastoma, who have few treatment options at present and whose average life expectancy is only 15 months following diagnosis.
Brain Tumours Decoded
A brain tumour, also known as intracranial tumor, is a mass abnormally multiplying cells within your brain. Some brain tumours can be benign, while others are cancerous. Doctors do not know the exact cause, but they suspect that long-term exposure to pesticides and chemicals, inherited neurofibromatosis, or cancer elsewhere in the body could cause . Other risk factors are family history and ionizing radiotherapy.
Glioblastoma: What is it?
Glioma, a malignant brain tumour, is the most common. Glioblastoma is a cancer that can develop in both the brain and spinal chord. This cancer is formed by the astrocytes which are the cells that support nerve cells. Glioblastoma can affect anyone but is most commonly diagnosed in older adults. The symptoms are nausea, vomiting headaches and seizures. Glioblastoma can be difficult to treat. A doctor may suggest a biopsy, an imaging test, or a neurological exam to diagnose it. Treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy.
The Molecular Makeup Of Glioblastoma stem cells
Researchers used the latest single cell RNA sequencing technologies and machine learning techniques to map the molecular makeup of glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells, which Dirks’ team had previously shown are responsible for tumour inception and recurrence following treatment.
The researchers found that GSCs are mixed with cancer stem cells in tumours and bear molecular markers of inflammation.
According to Dr Dirks’ findings, some cancers begin to develop when the normal healing process, which should generate new cells to replace lost ones, is disrupted by mutations.
He added that this could happen years before the patient shows symptoms.
Divinisioning of Glioblastoma stem cells in a growing brain before birth
The team explained that once a mutant cell is engaged in wound healing it does not stop multiplying, with all controls being broken, causing tumour growth.
The closer examination revealed that each tumour is either in one of two distinct molecular state–termed “Developmental” and “Injury Response”–or somewhere between them.
The development state is a characteristic of cells, and is similar to the rapid division of stem cells before birth in the developing brain.
The second state was a complete surprise. Researchers called it the “Injury response” because they saw an increase in immune pathways, inflammation markers such as TNFalpha and interferon, which are indicators of wound healing processes.
