HMMR Maintains the Stemness and Tumorigenicity of Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells (GSC) are a subpopulation of tumor cells that display stem-like characteristics (stemness) and play unique roles in tumor propagation, therapeutic resistance, and tumor recurrence. Therapeutic targets in GSCs are a focus of increasing interest to improve GBM therapy. Here we report that the hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) is highly expressed in GBM tumors, where it supports the self-renewal and tumorigenic potential of GSCs. HMMR silencing impairs GSC self-renewal and inhibits the expression of GSC markers and regulators. Furthermore, HMMR silencing suppresses GSC-derived tumor growth and extends the survival of mice bearing GSC xenografts. Conversely, HMMR overexpression promotes GSC self-renewal and intracranial tumor propagation. In human GBM tumor specimens, HMMR expression is correlated positively with the expression of stemness-associated markers and regulators. Our findings identify HMMR as a candidate therapeutic target to GSCs as a GBM treatment strategy. (C) 2014 AACR.