Deregulated signaling pathways in glioblastoma multiforme: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Cancer Invest. 2012 Jan;30(1):48-56. doi: 10.3109/07357907.2011.630050.

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant and aggressive type of brain tumor with an average life expectancy of less than 15 months. This is mostly due to the highly mutated genome of GBM, which is characterized by the deregulation of many key signaling pathways involving growth, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. It is critical to explore novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that target these pathways to improve the treatment of malignant glioma in the future. This review summarizes the most common and important pathways that are highly mutated or deregulated in GBM and discusses potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction* / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents