Isolation and propagation of glioma stem cells from acutely resected tumors

Abstract

Gliomas are characterized by striking intratumoral cellular heterogeneity. A consistent method to isolate undifferentiated GSC fraction from clinical specimens provides an opportunity to establish in vitro models that more closely mirror the in vivo state compared to traditional serum containing culture methods. Here we describe techniques involved with isolation, identification, and expansion of human malignant gliomaderived stem cells using a serum-free growth condition.