Novel approaches to treat malignant brain tumors are necessary since these neoplasms still display an unfavorable prognosis. Areas covered: In this review, the authors summarize and analyze recent preclinical data that suggest that targeting intrinsic apoptosis may be a suitable strategy for the treatment of malignant gliomas. They focus on the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members of proteins and the recent drug developments in that field with a special focus on BH3-mimetics. With the discovery of BH3-mimetics that interfere with anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members in the low nanomolar range significant excitement has been generated towards these class of inhibitors, such as ABT-737, ABT-263 and the most recent successor, ABT-199 which is most advanced with respect to clinical application. The authors discuss the more recent selective inhibitors of Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. Concerning Mcl-1, these novel classes of inhibitors have the potential to impact malignant gliomas since these tumors reveal increased levels of Mcl-1. Expert opinion: The recent development of certain small molecules raises significant hope that intrinsic apoptosis might soon be efficiently targetable for malignancies of the central nervous system. That being said, additional studies are necessary to determine which of the BH3-mimetics might be most suitable.
Keywords: ABT263; ABT737; BH3-mimetics; Mcl-1; apoptosis; autophagy.