Description

by Nima Rezaei (Author)

Brain tumors comprise about 5–9% of all human neoplasms; and interestingly the central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms are ranked among the most prevalent neoplasms of childhood as well. Besides to the morphologic and histopathologic characteristics, and as each pathologic states first starts with molecular alterations, each tumor may have its own story in the matter of activating tumorigenesis pathways and having specific molecular characteristics. Importantly, the molecular classification of tumors has been highly considered in the past few decades for taking the most appropriate therapeutic approach. On the other hand, the tumors shall have tumor-scape mechanisms preventing the immunologic system to eliminate its invasion. The failure of innate and acquired immune system to defeat tumorigenesis mechanisms would consequently result in tumor development. Interestingly, the neuro-immunologic mechanism plays a role in development of psychiatric manifestations of brain tumors as well. Taking all these to account, the different arms of innate immunity, acquired immunity, and genetics have been approached to defeat development and/or progression of such tumors. Accordingly, the activation immunotherapeutic approaches focus on activating or strengthening the anti-tumor immunologic pathways in order to assist the weakened immune system to defeat the tumor (such as Dendritic cell vaccination, DNA vaccines, peptide vaccines, viral vector-based vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and CAR T-cell therapy). In addition to immunologic components of brain and spinal cord tumors, numerous genes and genetic pathways have been recognized to take part in tumorigenesis. Taking these non-immune genetic pathways to account, some other therapeutic approaches such as stem cell therapy and gene therapy have been developed in the new era of cancer treatment. Moreover, and besides the biologic and medical aspects of these tumors, different physical/mathematical models have been proposed to either explain or predict tumor behavior. Such models would be advantageous in developing new therapeutic modalities in pre-clinical stages and enter new eras in cancer treatment.