The STAT3 and hypoxia pathways converge on Vasorin to promote stemness and glioblastoma tumorigenesis through Notch1 stabilization

Gliomas are the most common primary intracranial neoplasms in adults and a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in the United States (1). Grade I gliomas are considered the least malignant brain tumors, and grade IV or GBM the most aggressive and deadliest, which accounts for nearly 75% of all gliomas. Surgical resection of GBM remains the primary treatment modality with present adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy only providing slight improvement in the disease course and outcome (2).