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Review
. 2021 Dec;22(6):1408.
doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10844. Epub 2021 Oct 6.

Glioblastoma pharmacotherapy: A multifaceted perspective of conventional and emerging treatments (Review)

Ani-Simona Sevastre  1 , Alexandra Costachi  2 , Ligia Gabriela Tataranu  3 , Corina Brandusa  2 , Stefan Alexandru Artene  2 , Olivian Stovicek  4 , Oana Alexandru  5 , Suzana Danoiu  6 , Veronica Sfredel  7 , Anica Dricu  2
Affiliations
Review

Glioblastoma pharmacotherapy: A multifaceted perspective of conventional and emerging treatments (Review)

Ani-Simona Sevastre et al. Exp Ther Med. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Due to its localisation, rapid onset, high relapse rate and resistance to most currently available treatment methods, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is considered to be the deadliest type of all gliomas. Although surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are among the therapeutic strategies used for the treatment of GBM, the survival rates achieved are not satisfactory, and there is an urgent need for novel effective therapeutic options. In addition to single-target therapy, multi-target therapies are currently under development. Furthermore, drugs are being optimised to improve their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In the present review, the main strategies applied for GBM treatment in terms of the most recent therapeutic agents and approaches that are currently under pre-clinical and clinical testing were discussed. In addition, the most recently reported experimental data following the testing of novel therapies, including stem cell therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, genomic correction and precision medicine, were reviewed, and their advantages and drawbacks were also summarised.

Keywords: clinical trials; glioblastoma; pathways; pharmaceutics; targeted therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Glioblastoma multiforme signalling pathways. PDGFRA, platelet-derived growth factor receptor A; FGFR, fibroblast growth factor receptor; INSR, insulin receptor; NF1, neurofibromin 1; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; PIK3CA, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha; KRIT1, Krev interaction trapped; RTK, receptor tyrosin kinase; CDKN2A/B/C, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B/C; CDK4/6, cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6; Rb1, retinoblastoma protein 1; MDM2/4, mouse double minute 2/4 homolog; KLLN, killin. Block arrow, inhibition; point arrow, pathway flow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
GBM treatment options. GBM, glioblastoma multiforme.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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