Glioblastoma pharmacotherapy: A multifaceted perspective of conventional and emerging treatments (Review)

Due to its localisation, rapid onset, high relapse rate and resistance to most currently available treatment methods, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is considered to be the deadliest type of all gliomas. Although surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are among the therapeutic strategies used for the treatment of GBM, the survival rates achieved are not satisfactory, and there is an urgent need for novel effective therapeutic options. In addition to single-target therapy, multi-target therapies are currently under development. Furthermore, drugs are being optimised to improve their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In the present review, the main strategies applied for GBM treatment in terms of the most recent therapeutic agents and approaches that are currently under pre-clinical and clinical testing were discussed. In addition, the most recently reported experimental data following the testing of novel therapies, including stem cell therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, genomic correction and precision medicine, were reviewed, and their advantages and drawbacks were also summarised.

Automated summary

GBM is considered the deadliest type of all gliomas due to its localisation, rapid onset, high relapse rate and resistance to most currently available treatment methods. Current therapeutic strategies such as surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have unsatisfactory survival rates, highlighting the urgent need for novel effective therapeutic options. In addition to single-target therapy, multi-target therapies and drug optimisation to improve blood-brain barrier penetration are being developed to address the shortcomings of existing treatments.