====== Glioblastoma Research ====== {{rss>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rss/search/1-GbkCVmYw_e2ZXnY7RpYJej9D-KxgCj1MWu_00u2gvlI7xgCQ/?limit=15&utm_campaign=pubmed-2&fc=20250226161010}} ===== Key areas of ongoing glioblastoma research ===== ==== 1. Molecular and Genetic Insights ==== - **IDH Mutation Status** - **MGMT Promoter Methylation**: Predicts response to temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. - **TERT Promoter Mutations**: Associated with poor prognosis. - **Glioblastoma Subtypes** (Proneural, Classical, Mesenchymal): Identified through transcriptomic analysis, influencing treatment strategies. - **Single-Cell RNA Sequencing**: Reveals tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance mechanisms. ==== Innovative Therapeutic Approaches ==== #### **a. Immunotherapy** - **Checkpoint Inhibitors**: Limited success due to GBM's immunosuppressive microenvironment. - **Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cells**: Targeting EGFRvIII, IL13Rα2, and HER2. - **Cancer Vaccines**: DCVax-L (dendritic cell vaccine) shows promising results in clinical trials. - **Oncolytic Viruses**: Engineered viruses like DNX-2401 selectively replicate in tumor cells. #### **b. Targeted Therapy** - **EGFR Inhibitors**: Mixed results due to tumor heterogeneity. - **PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway Inhibitors**: Targeting GBM’s frequent PI3K mutations. - **BRAF/MEK Inhibitors**: Potentially effective in rare GBMs with BRAF V600E mutations. #### **c. Tumor Microenvironment and Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Modulation** - **Repurposing Drugs (e.g., Metformin, Chloroquine)**: Target metabolic vulnerabilities. - **BBB Disruptors (e.g., Focused Ultrasound, Mannitol)**: Enhance drug delivery. - **Anti-VEGF Therapy (Bevacizumab)**: Used for recurrent GBM but does not improve overall survival. #### **d. Personalized and AI-Driven Approaches** - **Organoids and 3D Cultures**: Patient-derived GBM models for precision medicine. - **Artificial Intelligence (AI)**: Predicts drug response and disease progression. - **Liquid Biopsies (cfDNA, miRNAs)**: Non-invasive monitoring of GBM evolution. --- ### **3. Current and Emerging Clinical Trials** - **Combination Therapies**: Investigating TMZ with immune checkpoint inhibitors. - **Gene Therapy Approaches**: CRISPR and RNA-based therapies targeting GBM mutations. - **Tumor-Treating Fields (TTFields, Optune)**: FDA-approved for GBM, disrupting mitosis using electric fields. --- ### **4. Challenges in GBM Research** - **High Tumor Heterogeneity**: Limits effectiveness of single-agent therapies. - **Immune Evasion**: GBM’s suppressive microenvironment resists immunotherapy. - **Drug Delivery Limitations**: The BBB restricts many systemic treatments. - **Recurrence Mechanisms**: Resistance often develops after initial treatment. --- ### **5. Future Directions** - **Neoantigen-Based Personalized Vaccines**: Custom therapies based on patient-specific tumor mutations. - **Multi-Omics Approaches**: Integrating genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics for better therapeutic targeting. - **Nanotechnology**: Developing nanoparticles for improved drug delivery across the BBB. ===== Artificial Intelligence for glioblastoma research ===== [[Artificial Intelligence for glioblastoma research]]