Application of Targeted Therapy to Malignant Gliomas and Response to Treatment

Eudocia      Q. Lee; Andrew      D. Norden; Jan      Drappatz; Patrick      Y. Wen

Abstract

The prognosis for malignant gliomas remains poor despite multimodality therapy. An increased understanding of the molecular pathogenesis involved in glioma development and growth has resulted in development of agents that specifically target these molecular processes and pathways. Except for inhibitors of the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway, results from most single agent trials have been modest at best. Tailoring therapy to the individual patients is an attractive strategy although most studies have failed to determine predictive biomarkers. Numerous novel agents, multitargeted agents, and combination therapies are now in clinical trials for malignant glioma.

Keywords: Targeted therapy, malignant glioma, angiogenesis, clinical trials, multi-targeted therapy, "malignant gliomas", cellular signaling kinases