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Review
. 2012 Jun;37(6):1192-200.
doi: 10.1007/s11064-011-0701-1. Epub 2012 Jan 10.

Drug resistance in glioblastoma: a mini review

Catherine P Haar  1 , Preetha Hebbar, Gerald C Wallace 4th, Arabinda Das, William A Vandergrift 3rd, Joshua A Smith, Pierre Giglio, Sunil J Patel, Swapan K Ray, Naren L Banik
Affiliations
Review

Drug resistance in glioblastoma: a mini review

Catherine P Haar et al. Neurochem Res. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is recognized as the most common and lethal form of central nervous system cancer. Currently used surgical techniques, chemotherapeutic agents, and radiotherapy strategies have done very little in extending the life expectancies of patients diagnosed with GBM. The difficulty in treating this malignant disease lies both in its inherent complexity and numerous mechanisms of drug resistance. In this review, we summarize several of the primary mechanisms of drug resistance. We reviewed available published literature in the English language regarding drug resistance in glioblastoma. The reasons for drug resistance in glioblastoma include drug efflux, hypoxic areas of tumor cells, cancer stem cells, DNA damage repair, and miRNAs. Many potential therapies target these mechanisms, including a series of investigated alternative and plant-derived agents. Future research and clinical trials in glioblastoma patients should pursue combination of therapies to help combat drug resistance. The emerging new data on the potential of plant-derived therapeutics should also be closely considered and further investigated.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Alternative therapeutic aims against drug resistance in GBM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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