Microgravity Effects on Glioma Cells: A Comprehensive Review.

Abstract

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) represent a formidable challenge in neuro-oncology due to their aggressive nature and resistance to current therapeutic interventions, which include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and emerging immunotherapies. Despite these efforts, the prognosis for patients remains poor, emphasizing the urgent need for novel treatment strategies. One promising avenue of exploration is microgravity, a condition experienced during spaceflight and simulated in laboratories on Earth, which induces significant physiological changes in cells and tissues. This review synthesizes relevant literature and provides a comprehensive overview of microgravity's effects on glioma cells, encompassing alterations in cell proliferation, apoptosis, gene expression, and a comparative analysis of its impact on other cancer cell types. Studies utilizing simulated microgravity techniques such as clinostats and rotating wall vessels have demonstrated that glioma cells exhibit reduced viability, altered growth patterns, and enhanced activation of apoptotic pathways compared to controls under normal gravity conditions. These findings are significant given the inherent resistance of gliomas to apoptosis; a process critical for the effectiveness of conventional therapies. Despite the challenges in accurately replicating the microgravity environment of space on Earth, simulated microgravity studies have elucidated molecular mechanisms underlying cellular responses. These mechanisms include DNA damage, impaired DNA repair mechanisms, and modulation of apoptotic pathways, which suggest potential vulnerabilities that could be targeted to improve therapeutic outcomes in glioma treatment. Moving forward, further research is essential to deepen our understanding of the specific molecular pathways involved in microgravity-induced effects on glioma cells. This knowledge could pave the way for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing apoptosis and overcoming treatment resistance in HGGs. Ultimately, microgravity research offers promising opportunities to advance neuro-oncology by identifying new therapeutic targets and improving clinical outcomes for patients with HHG.