Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Stereotactic Adoptive Transfer of Cytotoxic Immune Cells in Murine Models of Orthotopic Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Xenografts
Published on: September 1, 2018
Immunotherapy for patients with malignant glioma: from theoretical principles to clinical applications
Meng-Yin Yang1, Paul M Zetler, Robert M Prins
1Division of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6901, USA. yangmy04@yahoo.com.tw
Abstract:
Malignant gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor and are in great need of novel therapeutic approaches. Advances in treatment have been very modest, significant improvement in survival has been lacking for many decades and prognosis remains dismal. Despite 'gross total' surgical resections and currently available radio-chemotherapy, malignant gliomas inevitably recur due to reservoirs of notoriously invasive tumor cells that infiltrate adjacent and nonadjacent areas of normal brain parenchyma. In principle, the immune system is uniquely qualified to recognize and target these infiltrative pockets of tumor cells, which have generally eluded conventional treatment approaches. In the span of the last 10 years, our understanding of the cancer-immune system relationship has increased exponentially, and yet, we are only beginning to tease apart the intricacies of the CNS and immune cell interactions. This article reviews the complex associations of the immune system with brain tumors. We provide an overview of currently available treatment options for malignant gliomas, existing gaps in our knowledge of brain tumor immunology, and molecular techniques and targets that might be exploited for improved patient stratification and design of 'custom immunotherapeutics'. We will also examine major new immunotherapy approaches that are being actively investigated to treat patients with malignant glioma, and identify some current and future research priorities in this area.
Insights
Malignant gliomas, a common brain tumor, have poor prognoses despite current treatments. The immune system offers potential for novel immunotherapies targeting invasive tumor cells, but brain tumor immunology requires further research.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Malignant gliomas are primary brain tumors with dismal prognoses and limited survival improvements.
- Current treatments like surgery and radio-chemotherapy fail due to invasive tumor cell infiltration.
- The immune system's potential to target these infiltrative cells is significant but poorly understood in the CNS context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the complex relationship between the immune system and brain tumors.
- To identify knowledge gaps in brain tumor immunology.
- To explore novel molecular targets and immunotherapeutic strategies for malignant gliomas.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on malignant glioma treatment and brain tumor immunology.
- Analysis of existing knowledge gaps in CNS-immune cell interactions.
- Examination of molecular techniques for patient stratification and immunotherapeutic design.
Main Results:
- Malignant gliomas necessitate novel therapeutic approaches beyond current standards of care.
- The immune system presents a promising avenue for targeting infiltrative glioma cells.
- Significant gaps exist in understanding brain tumor immunology and CNS-immune interactions.
Conclusions:
- Further research into brain tumor immunology is crucial for developing effective immunotherapies.
- Exploiting molecular targets can improve patient stratification and lead to custom immunotherapeutics.
- Investigating new immunotherapy approaches is a priority for improving outcomes in malignant glioma patients.
