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Published on: September 1, 2018
Emerging therapies for malignant glioma
Rimas V Lukas1, Adrienne Boire, M Kelly Nicholas
1University of Chicago, Department of Neurology, MC 2030, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. rlukas@neurology.bsd.uchicago.edu
Abstract:
The current standard of care for malignant gliomas consists of surgery, radiotherapy and conventional (DNA-damaging) chemotherapies. These treatments are relatively nonspecific and may be applied to all glioma subtypes. Developments in cancer medicine, however, now offer the opportunity to direct therapies to specific molecular pathways involved in tumorigenesis. This offers the potential to tailor treatments to tumor subtypes--perhaps with greater efficacy and less toxicity. Many of the so-called targeted therapies are under investigation in the treatment of malignant glioma. In this review, we will focus on the use of agents that affect signal transduction. In particular, we will review the potential role for inhibitors of: tyrosine kinases, targets of rapamycin, farnesyl transferase and histone deacetylase. Inhibitors of angiogenesis will also be discussed. Some 'targeted' therapies are less specific than others, working on more than one pathway or receptor, thus complex interactions are possible.
Insights
Targeted therapies offer a promising approach to treating malignant gliomas by focusing on specific molecular pathways. This review explores signal transduction inhibitors, including tyrosine kinase and angiogenesis inhibitors, for improved cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Malignant gliomas are typically treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and conventional chemotherapy.
- These standard treatments lack specificity and can cause significant toxicity.
- Advances in molecular biology enable the development of targeted therapies for specific cancer pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of targeted therapies in treating malignant gliomas.
- To focus on signal transduction inhibitors and their mechanisms.
- To discuss inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, targets of rapamycin, farnesyl transferase, histone deacetylase, and angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of targeted therapies for malignant gliomas.
- Focus on agents affecting signal transduction pathways.
- Discussion of various classes of molecularly targeted agents.
Main Results:
- Targeted therapies aim to increase efficacy and reduce toxicity by targeting specific molecular pathways.
- Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, mTOR, farnesyl transferase, and histone deacetylase show potential.
- Angiogenesis inhibitors are also being investigated for glioma treatment.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies represent a shift towards personalized medicine in oncology.
- These agents offer the potential for more effective and less toxic treatments for malignant gliomas.
- Understanding complex interactions between targeted therapies is crucial for clinical application.
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