Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma
Published on: October 27, 2014
Glioblastoma treatment using perphenazine to block the subventricular zone's tumor trophic functions
R E Kast1, B M Ellingson, C Marosi
1IIAIGC Study Center, 22 Church Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA, richarderickast@gmail.com.
Abstract:
We present here a potential new treatment adjunct for glioblastoma. Building on murine studies, a series of papers appeared recently showing that therapeutic irradiation of the ipsilateral subventricular zone (SVZ) retards growth of more peripherally growing cortical glioblastomas in humans, suggesting a tumor trophic function for the SVZ. Further studies showed that SVZ cells migrate out towards a peripheral glioblastoma. Dopamine signaling through D3 subtype receptor indirectly drives this centrifugal migration in humans. Since psychiatry has several drugs with good D3 blocking attributes, such as fluphenazine, or perphenazine, we suggest that adding one of these D3 blocking drugs to current standard treatment of resection followed by temozolomide and irradiation might prolong survival by depriving glioblastoma of the trophic functions previously subserved by dopaminergic signaling on SVZ cells.
Insights
Adding D3 receptor blocking drugs to standard glioblastoma treatment may improve survival. These drugs could block dopamine signaling, hindering the subventricular zone
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular Psychiatry
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options.
- Recent studies suggest the subventricular zone (SVZ) supports GBM growth.
- SVZ cells exhibit centrifugal migration towards peripheral GBMs, influenced by dopamine D3 receptor signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma.
- To investigate the potential of targeting dopamine D3 receptor signaling in GBM treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing murine and human studies on SVZ function in GBM.
- Analysis of dopamine D3 receptor signaling pathways involved in cell migration.
- Identification of existing psychiatric drugs with D3 blocking properties.
Main Results:
- Therapeutic irradiation of the SVZ retards cortical GBM growth in humans.
- SVZ cells migrate towards GBM, a process mediated by dopamine D3 receptor signaling.
- Psychiatric drugs like fluphenazine and perphenazine possess D3 blocking attributes.
Conclusions:
- Adding D3 receptor blocking drugs to standard GBM treatment (resection, temozolomide, irradiation) may prolong survival.
- This adjunct therapy could deprive GBM of trophic support from SVZ cells.
- Further clinical investigation is warranted to validate this treatment approach.
