Recent advancements in multimodality treatment of gliomas

Future Oncol. 2011 Oct;7(10):1169-83. doi: 10.2217/fon.11.102.

Abstract

Gliomas account for the vast majority of malignant adult brain tumors. Even though tremendous effort has been made to optimize treatment of patients with high-grade glioma, the prognosis remains poor, especially for patients with glioblastoma. The dismal prognosis conferred by these tumors is in part caused by the tendency to diffusely infiltrate into neighboring brain tissue, but also by the inherent resistance of these tumors to both chemotherapy and radiation. This article reviews the recent advancements in multimodality treatment of patients with gliomas, both in the primary and recurrent setting, with an emphasis on the emerging targeted therapies. Moreover, the external beam radiotherapy options, including intensity modulated radiotherapy and particle (proton and carbon ion) radiotherapy are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Glioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Glioma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors