Targeting the glioblastoma-initiating cell-associated antigens

Glioblastoma (GBM)-initiating cells (GICs) are a tumorigenic subpopulation that are resistant to radio/chemotherapies and are the source of recurrence, therefore it is crucial to characterize GICs and find new therapeutic targets. We have successfully established mouse and human GICs, which retain stemness characteristics and tumorigenicity. By comparing their expression profiles with those of parental cells, we have focused on two cell surface membrane proteins, Ceacam1L and Eva1, which were prominently expressed in GICs. We demonstrated that both proteins were involved in GIC characteristics, including self-renewal, stem cell gene expression and side population, and tumorigenesis, indicating that they are potential new therapeutic targets for GBM. In this research highlight, I summarize our recent reports regarding Ceacam1L and Eva1 and then discuss about their potential as GBM therapeutic targets.