RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Maturation of Tumor Vasculature by Interferon-β Disrupts the Vascular Niche of Glioma Stem Cells JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 3301 OP 3308 VO 30 IS 9 A1 R.F. WILLIAMS A1 T.L. SIMS A1 L. TRACEY A1 A.L. MYERS A1 C.Y.C. NG A1 H. POPPLETON A1 A.C. NATHWANI A1 A.M. DAVIDOFF YR 2010 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/30/9/3301.abstract AB Background: The vascular niche necessary for cancer stem cell maintenance is a potential target for cancer therapy. Materials and Methods: Human glioma xenografts were treated with IFN-β delivered systemically via a liver-targeted, adeno-associated viral vector. The vascular niche was examined with immunofluorescence for glioma stem cells, endothelial cells, and perivascular cells. Results: Although IFN-β was not directly toxic to glioma stem cells in vitro, IFN-β decreased tumor size and the number of stem cells recovered in both heterotopic and orthotopic models. Treatment with IFN-β increased perivascular cells investing the tumor vasculature (6-fold) distancing stem cells from endothelial cells. Additionally, vascular smooth muscle cells co-cultured between stem cells and endothelial cells decreased stem cell recovery. Conclusion: Continuous delivery of IFN-β decreased the number of stem cells in glioma xenografts by disrupting the vascular niche through an increase in perivascular cells, which created a barrier between the glioma stem cells and the endothelial cells.