Meningiomas are the most common
tumors of the central nervous system, where the incidence is around 25% of all
primary brain tumors. The optimal treatment is represented by total resection accompanied by the removal of the dura mater and bone when infiltrated by the
tumor. The histological grading is the most important prognostic factor in the outcome. However, recurrences do occur in a significant proportion (10-25%) of cases, representing the most relevant clinical complication. Molecular
therapies are providing to give different opportunities in the development of new treatments. The Dickkopf-related family of
proteins includes four secretory
proteins. The expression of the REIC/Dkk-3 gene is down-regulated in many tumor cell lines and could contribute to the immunomodulatory properties of the tissue microenvironment. An important role in
carcinogenesis is played by Dickkopf
protein-related
protein 3, which is involved in embryonic development through its interaction and modulation of the pathway of the Wnt signal transduction. The mutations of this pathway are of clinical importance, because they lead to the onset of several
cancers, including
brain tumors, being also involved in
tumor angiogenesis. The
claudin-5, is an
integral membrane protein, which regulate the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. In various
pathological processes, including
inflammation,
trauma and
tumor,
claudin 5 regulate the change in endothelial or epithelial permeability, therefore, modification in
claudin-5 expression may play a role in malignant transformation. The aim of our study is to demonstrate the role of Dkk-3 and
claudin-5 in the pathogenesis of
meningiomas. A more correct identification of the role of these
proteins might suggest interesting and new molecular targets for future therapeutic protocols.