Turkish Neurosurgery
The relationship between the hypoxic process and cancer stem cells in meningioma
Ismail Saygin1, Emel Cakir1, Mustafa Emre Ercin1
1Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Trabzon,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.27546-19.2

Aim:Cancer stem cells are immortal cells found in the tumor that have the ability to regenerate spontaneously. One cause of resistance to cancer treatment is thought to be the inability to target cancer stem cells, which have a slower proliferation capacity. The detection of cancer stem cells along with increased HIF1 levels, which are due to hypoxia, could lead to new targets for treatment. In this study we investigated the relationship between cancer stem cells (CD133 and CD44) and HIF1α expression in meningioma.Material and Methods:In an immunohistochemistry experiment, three expert pathologists examined 100 meningioma slides stained for HIF1α, CD133, and CD44 antibodies. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 23 Statistics packet program. P values <0.05 were statistically significant. Results:HIF1α staining was correlated with high grade (Grade 2) meningioma. Cytoplasmic staining was negatively correlated with meningioma grade. High grade meningioma was positive for nuclear HIF1α and showed increased cytoplasmic expression of CD44 and CD133.Conclusion:In accordance with previous studies, the level of hypoxia and HIF1α were correlated with meningioma grade. Furthermore, expression of HIF1α was correlated with expression of CD133 and CD44, which are cancer stem cell surface markers, as well as with meningioma grade. In light of these data, new treatment modalities related to CD44 and CD133 stem cell markers and to HIF1α may be developed.

Corresponding author : Ismail Saygin