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Updated: Jun 7, 2025
The Clinical Application of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Glioblastoma
Published on: April 16, 2019
Glioblastoma therapy: State of the field and future prospects
Nadia Allahyarzadeh Khiabani1, Mohammad Amin Doustvandi2, Darren Story3
1Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA; College of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma (GB) is a cancerous brain tumor that originates from glial cells and leads to thousands of deaths each year and a five-year survival of only 6.8 %. Treatments for GB include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. GB is an incurable fatal disease, necessitating the development of innovative strategies to find a developing effective therapy. Genetic therapies may be crucial in treating GB by identifying the mutations and amplifications of multiple genes, which drive its proliferation and spread. Use of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) provides a novel technology used to suppress the genes associated with disease, which forms a basis for targeted therapy in GB and its stem cell population, which are recognized for their ability to develop resistance to chemotherapy and tumorigenic capabilities. This review examines the use of siRNAs in GB, emphasizing their effectiveness in suppressing key oncogenes and signaling pathways associated with tumor development, invasion, stemness, and resistance to standard treatments. siRNA-based gene silencing is a promising approach for developing targeted therapeutics against GB and associated stem cell populations, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and survival rates in this devastating disease.
Insights
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) offer a novel gene silencing approach for glioblastoma (GB). This therapy targets key genes in GB and its stem cells, potentially improving treatment outcomes for this fatal brain cancer.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GB) is an aggressive brain tumor with a poor prognosis.
- Current treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy) are insufficient, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- GB stem cells contribute to treatment resistance and tumor recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in glioblastoma treatment.
- To highlight siRNA's potential in targeting oncogenes and signaling pathways driving GB progression.
- To evaluate siRNA's efficacy against GB stem cells and chemoresistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on siRNA-based gene silencing in glioblastoma.
- Analysis of studies demonstrating siRNA's impact on oncogene suppression.
- Examination of research on siRNA targeting of GB stem cell populations.
Main Results:
- siRNAs effectively suppress key oncogenes and signaling pathways crucial for GB growth and spread.
- Gene silencing via siRNAs demonstrates efficacy in targeting glioblastoma stem cells.
- siRNA-based approaches show potential in overcoming resistance to conventional therapies.
Conclusions:
- siRNA-based gene silencing represents a promising targeted therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma.
- This approach holds potential for treating both the primary tumor and resistant stem cell populations.
- Targeted siRNA therapy may significantly improve patient outcomes and survival rates for glioblastoma.
