Advances in synthetic lethality modalities for glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by a high mortality rate, high resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy due to its highly aggressive nature. The pathophysiology of GBM is characterized by multifarious genetic abrasions that deactivate tumor suppressor genes, induce transforming genes, and over-secretion of pro-survival genes, resulting in oncogene sustainability. Synthetic lethality is a destructive process in which the episode of a single genetic consequence is tolerable for cell survival, while co-episodes of multiple genetic consequences lead to cell death. This targeted drug approach, centered on the genetic concept of synthetic lethality, is often selective for DNA repair-deficient GBM cells with restricted toxicity to normal tissues. DNA repair pathways are key modalities in the generation, treatment, and drug resistance of cancers, as DNA damage plays a dual role as a creator of oncogenic mutations and a facilitator of cytotoxic genomic instability. Although several research advances have been made in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy, no review article has summarized these therapeutic modalities. Thus, this review focuses on the innovative advances in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy.