Mozafari P, Hassan Babiker R K, Jojua T, Jishkariani D, Bagheri M H. Neuroimmune Interactions in Brain Tumors: A Narrative Review of Microglia and Tumor Microenvironment as Modulators of Progression and Therapy. Neuroscience Updates 2026; 4 (1) :26-40
URL:
http://neuroupdates.de/article-1-132-en.html
1- Faculty of medicine, University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
2- School of Medicine, Caucasus university, Tbilisi, Georgia
3- Faculty of Medicine, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
4- Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (2274 Views)
One of the most significant health issues facing the world today is glioma and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is a primary brain tumor regardless of the progress made in treatment modalities. Gliomas develop depending on the glial cells and represent about 80 percent of malignant brain tumors and GBM consists of 50-60 percent of cases. Immune and inflammatory cells, especially microglia, are abundant in the TME in glioma that are major contributors to tumor development and resistance to therapy. This narrative review will look into the neuroimmune interactions that affect tumor growth, immune infiltration, and response to treatments and particularly the role of microglia and polarization. The microglia can have two distinct impacts on the tumor behavior, which are contingent on their pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype. Glioma cells produce mediators which selectively differentiate microglia into the M2 phenotype enhancing tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immunity. Despite molecular pathways that control microglial polarization, which have potential therapeutics, the complexity of the TME is an obstacle to successful clinical implementation. This is a synthesis review of existing evidence, and it is important to note that the current therapeutic approaches require more advanced methods, such as high-resolution spatial profiling, drugs that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and computational analysis of individual cells to find biomarkers that can be acted upon. Neuroimmune interaction through reformulation of treatment approaches can promote long term results in management of primary brain tumors.
Graphical Abstract:

Reseach Highlights:
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- Discover the mechanisms by which microglia regulate neuroimmune interactions that contribute to gliomas progression and resistance to therapy.
- Identify microglial polarization as a key factor in angiogenesis, invasion and immune suppression.
- Show that tumor-derived signals induce a pro-tumor phenotype in microglia in the tumor microenvironment.
- Discuss the value of microglia as target for effective therapeutic interventions and potential therapeutic approach to drug resistance.
- Highlight spatial and molecular immune heterogeneity as a basis for precision neuro-oncology therapy.
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Type of Study:
Review Article |
Subject:
Clinical Neuroscience Received: 2026/01/15 | Accepted: 2026/03/15 | Published: 2026/03/20
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