Novel Clinical Trials and Approaches in the Management of Glioblastoma

Curr Oncol Rep. 2024 May;26(5):439-465. doi: 10.1007/s11912-024-01519-4. Epub 2024 Mar 28.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to discuss a wide variety of novel therapies recently studied or actively undergoing study in patients with glioblastoma. This review also discusses current and future strategies for improving clinical trial design in patients with glioblastoma to maximize efficacy in discovering effective treatments.

Recent findings: Over the years, there has been significant expansion in therapy modalities studied in patients with glioblastoma. These therapies include, but are not limited to, targeted molecular therapies, DNA repair pathway targeted therapies, immunotherapies, vaccine therapies, and surgically targeted radiotherapies. Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults and unfortunately remains with poor overall survival following the current standard of care. Given the dismal prognosis, significant clinical and research efforts are ongoing with the goal of improving patient outcomes and enhancing quality and quantity of life utilizing a wide variety of novel therapies.

Keywords: CNS tumors; Chemotherapy; Glioblastoma; High-grade glioma; Immunotherapy; Radiotherapy; Review of therapy; Targeted molecular therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic*
  • Glioblastoma* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy* / methods
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines