Recent medical management of glioblastoma

This chapter contains an overview of standard of care and experimental chemotherapy treatments for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We discuss the role of alkylating agents, focusing primarily on temozolomide (TMZ) which, in combination with radiation therapy, is part of the standard of care treatment for newly diagnosed GBM. TMZ has proven both well tolerated and effective in prolonging patient survival, but tumor recurrence remains the rule. We review the development and use of molecularly targeted agents, low molecular weight kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies that interrupt the signaling pathways exploited by tumors to grow, migrate and avoid apoptosis.