Types of glioma brain tumors and genetic alterations in signaling pathways in them

Abstract

Types of glioma brain tumors and genetic alterations in signaling pathways in them Background & Objective: Glioma is a common type of primary brain tumor originating in the glial cells that surrounds and supports neurons in the brain. These tumors arise from three different types of cells that are normally found in the brain: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells, accordingly types of glioma include: Astrocytomas, Ependymomas, and Oligoastrocytomas. The signaling pathway has been described in systems biology terms as a complex biological network of three steps: (1) an input step in which membrane receptors and their ligands trigger the signal coming from outside the cell; (2) a core system processing step in which protein kinases transmit the signal to the nucleus; (3) an output step in which transcription factors regulate genes that affect various cellular functions. Conclusion: Glioma characteristics are derived from the activation of these pathways, including uncontrolled proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Understanding the genetic alterations that has occurred in these three steps, leading to the formation and progression of glioma tumors, may help improve patient prognosis in order to identify novel treatment targets. In this review, we provide an overview of the most recent developments and current understanding of genetic alterations in these signaling pathways in glioma.

Keywords

• glioma
• grade
• signaling pathway.