The Glioma Stem Cell Model in the Era of Single-Cell Genomics

Abstract

Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are thought to underlie glioma initiation, evolution, and resistance to existing therapies. Although functional evidence for GSCs is abundant, tumor heterogeneity and intrinsic limitations in GSC assays have represented barriers for the field. In this perspective, we revisit the GSC model in light of recent single-cell expression profiling studies. We highlight how classes of glioma differ in their cellular architecture and relate the observed cellular states to established GSC markers. We additionally propose a set of single-cell informed definitions as a framework for our understanding of the cellular architecture of gliomas and a potential therapeutic outlook.

Keywords: cancer stem cell; glioma; single-cell genomics.