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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Evaluation of Biomarkers in Glioma by Immunohistochemistry on Paraffin-Embedded 3D Glioma Neurosphere Cultures
Published on: January 9, 2019
Molecular markers of glial tumors: current targeting strategies
T I Samoylova1, N E Morrison, N R Cox
1Scott-Ritchey Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA. samoiti@vetmed.auburn.edu
Abstract:
Diagnosis and therapy for malignant gliomas represents one of the most challenging problems in clinical oncology. Current treatment of malignant glioma is multimodal, involving surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Even with these combined therapies, patients usually die within 1 to 2 years after onset of symptoms. Clearly, improved strategies for selective delivery of therapeutic agents to gliomas are needed to combat these devastating and usually fatal cancers. This review summarizes current knowledge concerning targetable molecular markers on the surface of glial tumor cells and tumor vasculature. Such markers are altered or up-regulated in gliomas compared to normal tissues, or they might be glioma-restricted. These markers include growth factor receptors, cell-surface adhesion molecules, and membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases. Current approaches that utilize growth factor peptides and peptide/antibodies identified via phage display technology as carrier ligands for targeting malignant gliomas are discussed.
Insights
Targeting malignant gliomas requires new strategies beyond current treatments. This review explores molecular markers on tumor cells and vasculature for improved drug delivery in brain cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Malignant gliomas are aggressive brain tumors with poor prognoses despite multimodal treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy).
- Current therapies offer limited survival benefits, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced strategies for targeted treatment delivery.
- Selective delivery of therapeutic agents to gliomas is crucial for improving patient outcomes in these fatal cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review targetable molecular markers on glial tumor cells and tumor vasculature for improved glioma therapy.
- To discuss current approaches utilizing these markers for the selective delivery of therapeutic agents.
- To identify potential targets for novel treatment strategies against malignant gliomas.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current knowledge on molecular markers in gliomas.
- Identification of altered or up-regulated surface markers on glioma cells and vasculature.
- Discussion of therapeutic strategies employing growth factor peptides and phage display-identified ligands.
Main Results:
- Several molecular markers, including growth factor receptors, cell-surface adhesion molecules, and membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases, are altered or overexpressed in gliomas.
- These markers present potential targets for selective drug delivery to tumor sites.
- Phage display technology has identified peptides and antibodies that can serve as carrier ligands for targeting gliomas.
Conclusions:
- Targetable molecular markers on glioma cells and vasculature offer promising avenues for developing more effective therapies.
- Selective delivery strategies utilizing these markers can potentially overcome limitations of current multimodal treatments.
- Further research into these markers and targeting ligands is essential for advancing malignant glioma treatment.
