Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

The Clinical Application of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Glioblastoma
Published on: April 16, 2019
Combination therapy to checkmate Glioblastoma: clinical challenges and advances
Debarati Ghosh1, Saikat Nandi2, Sonali Bhattacharjee3
1Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Combination therapy is increasingly becoming the cornerstone of current day antitumor therapy. Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor with a dismal median survival post diagnosis and a high rate of disease recurrence. The poor prognosis can be attributed to unique treatment limitations, which include the infiltrative nature of tumor cells, failure of anti-glioma drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier, tumor heterogeneity and the highly metastatic and angiogenic nature of the tumor making cells resistant to chemotherapy. Combination therapy approach is being developed against glioblastoma with new innovative combination drug regimens being tested in preclinical and clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology of glioblastoma, diagnostic markers, therapeutic targeting strategies, current treatment limitations, novel combination therapies in the context of current treatment options and the ongoing clinical trials for glioblastoma therapy.
Insights
Combination therapy offers new hope for glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive brain cancer. This review explores novel drug combinations and clinical trials to overcome treatment challenges and improve patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cancer Pharmacology
- Translational Medicine
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis and high recurrence rates.
- Treatment is limited by tumor cell infiltration, the blood-brain barrier, tumor heterogeneity, and drug resistance.
- Combination therapy is a key strategy to overcome these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology, diagnostic markers, and therapeutic strategies for glioblastoma.
- To discuss current treatment limitations and novel combination therapies.
- To summarize ongoing clinical trials for glioblastoma therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on glioblastoma treatment.
- Analysis of current therapeutic options and emerging combination drug regimens.
- Synthesis of information on diagnostic markers and targeting strategies.
Main Results:
- Combination therapy is a promising approach for glioblastoma, with novel regimens under investigation.
- Understanding glioblastoma pathophysiology is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Several combination therapies are in various stages of clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- Novel combination therapies hold significant potential for improving glioblastoma treatment outcomes.
- Overcoming treatment resistance and enhancing drug delivery are critical areas of focus.
- Continued research and clinical trials are essential for advancing glioblastoma therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Gene Therapy
Overview of Advanced Functional Groups
Functional groups are groups of atoms with specific chemical properties that occur within organic molecules and are sometimes denoted as “R”. Functional groups can “functionalize” a compound by enabling it to adopt different physical and chemical properties.
Types of Advanced Functional Groups
The table below summarizes some of the major functional groups in organic chemistry.
Extraction: Advanced Methods
Group Therapy
Nursing Clinical Information System
A Nursing Clinical Information System (NCIS) is a specialized type of healthcare information system tailored to meet the unique needs of nursing practice. It incorporates the principles of nursing informatics to streamline information management and improve the quality of care delivery.
Critical attributes of NCIS include:

