Current concepts and newer developments in the treatment of malignant gliomas

Indian J Cancer. 2009 Apr-Jun;46(2):88-95. doi: 10.4103/0019-509x.49146.

Abstract

Primary malignant brain tumors account for only 2% of all adult cancers but they cause a disproportionately high cancer-related disability and death. Survival of malignant glioma patients has changed only modestly over the past three decades despite the emergence of new treatment strategies for these tumors. In this review, we describe the standard treatment modalities for malignant glioma, which include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, as well as the status of novel therapies that have been developed to target various aspects of glioma cell biology. We also address this issue of drug delivery as a factor limiting the efficacy of systemic administration of therapeutics and attempts to overcome this barrier. Further progress towards a cure for malignant gliomas will require a greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving the growth, and resistance to therapy, of these challenging tumors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Brachytherapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Dacarbazine / analogs & derivatives
  • Dacarbazine / therapeutic use
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Glioma / drug therapy
  • Glioma / radiotherapy
  • Glioma / surgery
  • Glioma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Radiosurgery
  • Signal Transduction
  • Temozolomide

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Dacarbazine
  • Temozolomide