New Insights into Glioblastoma: Cell Clustering May Influence Tumor Aggressiveness

Recent research from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has uncovered new details about glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain tumors. Using advanced spatial transcriptomics technology, scientists observed that glioblastoma cells tend to form clusters of the same cell type and that these clustered cells are less aggressive compared to dispersed cells that break away from these groups. Interestingly, the dispersed tumor cells exhibit higher plasticity, meaning they can easily change their properties, which is associated with increased treatment resistance and poorer patient outcomes.

The study revealed that tumor cells in clusters express surface proteins that help them stick together, while dispersed cells lack these adhesion molecules, making them more mobile and adaptable. These findings were also confirmed in breast cancer samples, suggesting that the principles governing tumor cell behavior might be applicable across various solid cancers.

The researchers hypothesize that current treatments like chemotherapy and radiation might inadvertently cause tumor cells to disperse by disrupting their clusters, thereby increasing their plasticity and harmfulness. Understanding the mechanisms behind cell clustering and dispersal could open new pathways for therapy, aiming to promote cluster formation or inhibit cell dispersal to reduce tumor aggressiveness.

Led by Dr. Anna Lasorella and Dr. Antonio Iavarone, the team’s work provides a deeper understanding of the biology of glioblastoma and offers hope for developing strategies to limit tumor progression by controlling cell adhesion and plasticity. Their findings emphasize the potential of targeting tumor cell organization to improve treatment outcomes for patients with this deadly cancer.