On 2013 Aug 06, Allison Stelling commented:

This was a wonderful overview of the literature regarding the expression of collagen domains in gliomas. I feel that the microenvironment experienced by the cells has been neglected a bit in the literature, but it is important to recall that natural selection works via the interactions between cells and their nanoscale, biochemical environment. These environments influence the expression of genes through a myriad of mechanisms- from protein protein interactions, to small molecules that activate signaling cascades via (for example) phosphorylation events. The chemical pressures experienced by tumor cells in particular during treatment can lead to selection for drug resistant phenotypes- and, this resistance likely must be considered on an individual, "personal genomics/phenotype" level. Gliomas in particular are what is know within the medical community as "highly malignant", and recent studies highlighted in this review point to these cells as manufacturing their own extracellular collagens to facilitate infiltration of healthly tissue. Given how responsive and adaptable tumor cells can be, I would not find it surprising if these molecules played a role in "converting" or "infecting" healthy cells into tumor cells.

This review does a fine job of going over the biochemistry of the "major collagen players" discovered thus far in tumors. I particularly enjoyed the section on the effects of the physical properties of the matrix on glioma cell growth and motility. There is much fundamental work to be done in this area, and gaining physical models and insight on the molecular level about the complex microenvironment these malignant cells inhabit will improve our understanding of these tumors and greatly aid in the design of effective therapies.

On 2013 Aug 06, Allison Stelling commented:

This was a wonderful overview of the literature regarding the expression of collagen domains in gliomas. I feel that the microenvironment experienced by the cells has been neglected a bit in the literature, but it is important to recall that natural selection works via the interactions between cells and their nanoscale, biochemical environment. These environments influence the expression of genes through a myriad of mechanisms- from protein protein interactions, to small molecules that activate signaling cascades via (for example) phosphorylation events. The chemical pressures experienced by tumor cells in particular during treatment can lead to selection for drug resistant phenotypes- and, this resistance likely must be considered on an individual, "personal genomics/phenotype" level. Gliomas in particular are what is know within the medical community as "highly malignant", and recent studies highlighted in this review point to these cells as manufacturing their own extracellular collagens to facilitate infiltration of healthly tissue. Given how responsive and adaptable tumor cells can be, I would not find it surprising if these molecules played a role in "converting" or "infecting" healthy cells into tumor cells.

This review does a fine job of going over the biochemistry of the "major collagen players" discovered thus far in tumors. I particularly enjoyed the section on the effects of the physical properties of the matrix on glioma cell growth and motility. There is much fundamental work to be done in this area, and gaining physical models and insight on the molecular level about the complex microenvironment these malignant cells inhabit will improve our understanding of these tumors and greatly aid in the design of effective therapies.