Synopsis
"What if brain tumors are getting help from unexpected allies? In this video, we explore how certain brain cells called oligodendrocytes can actually promote the growth of glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer. The study by Mikolajewicz, *Neuron*, 2026, reveals that glioblastoma cells recruit oligodendrocytes to the tumor border. These recruited oligodendrocytes then become "reactive" and start secreting a molecule called CCL5. CCL5 acts like fertilizer for the tumor, helping it grow and spread.
The researchers also found that a receptor for CCL5, called CCR5, is more active in glioma stem cells, which are the seeds of cancer recurrence. Excitingly, blocking CCR5 with drugs slows down tumor growth in lab models. This suggests that targeting this CCL5-CCR5 pathway could be a new strategy for treating glioblastoma. This opens new doors to fight this aggressive cancer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaABtRHed8E