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Advances in the Treatment of Malignant Gliomas

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Abstract

Local control with surgery, radiation, and temozolomide chemotherapy remain the pillars of treatment for high-grade gliomas. Novel therapeutic strategies, including a variety of antiangiogenic agents, are under investigation. One of these agents, bevacizumab, was recently given accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration as a single agent for recurrent glioblastoma. Recent trial results are generating important clinical questions regarding which patients to treat and when, and how best to monitor response. Encouraging results of recent studies are driving willingness to undertake aggressive treatment and to improve outcomes in this population. In this era, better understanding of biology, molecular aspects of cancer, and clinical trial methodology are crucial for clinicians. This review focuses on recent advances in the treatment malignant gliomas, especially antiangiogenic therapy.

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Disclosure

Dr. Andrew B. Lassman has served on scientific advisory boards and/or consulted for Schering-Plough Corporation, Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ImClone Systems, Genentech, Eisai, Cephalon, and Enzon Pharmaceuticals. He also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Neuro-Oncology and the speakers’ bureau for Schering-Plough Corporation.

No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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  1. Department of Neurology and Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Mustafa Khasraw & Andrew B. Lassman

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  1. Mustafa Khasraw
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Correspondence to Andrew B. Lassman.

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Khasraw, M., Lassman, A.B. Advances in the Treatment of Malignant Gliomas. Curr Oncol Rep 12, 26–33 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-009-0077-4

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