Recent studies have revealed that glioma-associated mesenchymal stem cells play instrumental roles in tumorigenesis and tumour progression and cannot be ignored as a cellular component of the glioma microenvironment. Nevertheless, the origin of these cells and their roles are poorly understood. The only relevant studies have shown that glioma-associated mesenchymal stem cells play a large role in promoting tumour proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis. This review provides a comprehensive summary of their discovery and definition, origin, differences from other tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, spatial distribution, functions and prognostic and therapeutic opportunities to deepen the understanding of these cells and provide new insight into the treatment of glioma.
Keywords: central nervous system; glioma; mesenchymal stem cells; microenvironment.
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