(F-209) Large-Scale Nematic Organization of High-Grade Brain Tumors: Oncostreams, Topological Defects, and Their Functions

Glioblastomas (GBM) are the most common adult brain tumors, characterized by rapid invasion into the normal brain and high therapeutic resistance. Our data demonstrated that GBM tumors exhibit self-organized, nematically aligned, multicellular structures, termed “oncostreams,” that influence tumor invasion and malignancy. We aim to further understand oncostream dynamics and the biomechanical interactions between glioma cells and the ECM in a novel in vitro oncostream platform. Time-lapse imaging in the system revealed the presence of topological defects within GBM cells; topological defects are points where an ordered, aligned system of liquid crystals (as our oncostream cells) have a discontinuity of order. Our investigation of topological defects aims to reveal important functions within brain tumors, related to cancer cell invasion, collective migration, and apoptosis. These results will define novel physical structures in GBM, leading to the development of therapeutic strategies targeting oncostreams and topological defects.