Targeting cells that form blood vessels in glioblastoma could improve treatment
MD Anderson Research Highlight June 09, 2025
The formation of new, small blood vessels ¨C known as microvascular proliferation (MVP) ¨C is a hallmark of glioblastoma, the most common and deadly adult brain tumor, making it notoriously difficult to treat. To better understand how MVP contributes to the glioblastoma tumor microenvironment, researchers led by Candice Poon, M.D., , and , used advanced single-cell techniques on samples from 16 patients with glioblastoma. They discovered that cells around the blood vessels, specifically mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play a critical role in creating new blood vessels that help glioblastoma tumors spread. In particular, the researchers identified the PDGFRB gene as a potential driver in MSCs that may facilitate this process. These cells also weaken the body¡¯s immune response by creating a ¡°cold¡± tumor microenvironment, leading to poor patient outcomes. The results suggest that targeting interactions between these cells could help make glioblastoma more vulnerable to treatment. Learn more in .
This study is the latest in our decade-long quest to understand the role of mesenchymal stem cells in glioblastoma. By showing that MSCs potentially drive microvascular proliferation (MVP), our data not only call into question current dogma about how MVP is formed but also indicate that inhibiting the recruitment and growth of MSCs will prevent tumor progression and reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioblastomas. We believe this will ultimately translate into new therapeutic strategies that change the outcome of this deadly disease, whose median survival is currently only one year.