Translating biology into clinic: the case of glioblastoma

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2009 Apr;21(2):311-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2008.12.009. Epub 2009 Feb 14.

Abstract

GBM, the most common and malignant primary tumor of the CNS, is characterized by exponential growth and diffuse invasiveness. Although the diverse causative genotypes that give rise to a inhomogeneous histological phenotype are well defined, effective therapy inducing tumor cell apoptosis has not been established so far. Following surgery, billions of invasive tumor cells remain to be targeted by systemic and local therapies. Targeting non-overlapping pathways, rather than a single agent approach, is more likely to be effective. The potential of local drug application has not been exploited yet. Systemically, novel drug combinations have to be developed that not only target key molecules at the signaling crossroads but also exploit energy demand and the epigenetic cancer program of GBM.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Glioblastoma* / drug therapy
  • Glioblastoma* / genetics
  • Glioblastoma* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases