Expression of Embryonic Stem Cell Markers on the Microvessels of WHO Grade I Meningioma

Authors: Ganeshwaran Shivapathasundram, Agadha C. Wickremesekera, Helen D. Brasch, Reginald Marsh, Swee T. Tan and Tinte Itinteang

Frontiers in Surgery. (2018). doi:10.3389/fsurg.2018.00065
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2018.00065/full

Research by the GMRI and others proposes that tumour stem cells are the cellular origin of several benign conditions such as Dupuytren’s disease, infantile haemangioma and meningioma. 25-30% of cranial and spinal tumours are meningiomas.

A collaborative research project involving the GMRI and the Neurosurgery Department of Wellington Hospital has investigated the presence and possible role of these stem cells in the origin and development of meningiomas. Using four independent procedures, five biomarkers of stem cells were identified in 11 different meningiomas. These stem cells were localised to the micro blood vessels in the tumour. The presence of these putative stem cells suggests that they may give rise to the meningiomas.