Glioblastoma Multiforme: The Genetic Perspective of the Treatment Planning

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is divided into two distinct disease entities called primary and secondary GBM. The genetic and the epigenetic background of these tumors are highly variable. These tumors are not successfully treated because of their cellular heterogeneity and intrinsic ability of the tumor cells to invade healthy tissues. The fatal outcomes of these tumors promote researchers to find new markers associated with prognosis and treatment planning. A better understanding of stem-like cells and the genetic and the epigenetic background of GBM are necessary for designing new effective treatments and developing novel molecular strategies to target tumor cells and glioblastoma stem cells. In this review, we discuss the new therapeutic targets. Focusing on inhibiting the signaling pathways, which are associated with hypoxia-mediated maintenance of glioblastoma stem cells or the knockdown of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α), may help to the develop new target-specific treatments.