Current therapeutic paradigms in glioblastoma

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM), a WHO grade IV malignant glioma, is the most common and lethal adult primary brain tumor. Median survival rates range from 12-15 months. The current standard of care for GBM has evolved from resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy to resection, concurrent adjuvant chemotherapy (temozolomide) and radiation, and additional adjuvant chemotherapy. The expression of specific molecular biomarkers, especially O-6-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) status, may determine the response of the tumor to treatment, and helps in identifying the magnitude of benefit from this regimen. By identifying further biological subtypes of GBM at the molecular level, specific targeted therapies could be developed and used in the future for more individualized therapeutic regimens. This article will review the current therapies for GBM and the investigation of new molecular and targeted therapies, such as EGFR inhibitors, mTOR/PI3Kinase inhibitors, and anti-angiogenesis agents.