Radiotherapy-drug combinations in the treatment of glioblastoma: a brief review

CNS Oncol. 2022 Jun 1;11(2):CNS86. doi: 10.2217/cns-2021-0015. Epub 2022 May 23.

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) accounts for over 50% of gliomas and carries the worst prognosis of all solid tumors. Owing to the limited local control afforded by surgery alone, efficacious adjuvant treatments such as radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy are fundamental in achieving durable disease control. The best clinical outcomes are achieved with tri-modality treatment consisting of surgery, RT and systemic therapy. While RT-chemotherapy combination regimens are well established in oncology, this approach was largely unsuccessful in GBM until the introduction of temozolomide. The success of this combination has stimulated the search for other candidate drugs for concomitant use with RT in GBM. This review seeks to collate the current evidence for these agents and synthesize possible future directions for the field.

Keywords: chemotherapy; glioblastoma; radiosensitizers; radiotherapy; trial design.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Combinations
  • Glioblastoma* / drug therapy
  • Glioblastoma* / radiotherapy
  • Glioma* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Temozolomide / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Drug Combinations
  • Temozolomide