Malignant astrocytic glioma: genetics, biology, and paths to treatment.
Malignant astrocytic gliomas such as glioblastoma are the most common and lethal intracranial tumors. These cancers exhibit a relentless malignant progression characterized by widespread invasion throughout the brain, resistance to traditional and newer targeted therapeutic approaches, destruction of normal brain tissue, and certain death. The recent confluence of advances in stem cell biology, cell signaling, genome and computational science and genetic model systems have revolutionized our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the genetics, biology and clinical behavior of glioblastoma. This progress is fueling new opportunities for understanding the fundamental basis for development of this devastating disease and also novel therapies that, for the first time, portend meaningful clinical responses.
Furnari
Frank B
FB
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
Fenton
Tim
T
Bachoo
Robert M
RM
Mukasa
Akitake
A
Stommel
Jayne M
JM
Stegh
Alexander
A
Hahn
William C
WC
Ligon
Keith L
KL
Louis
David N
DN
Brennan
Cameron
C
Chin
Lynda
L
DePinho
Ronald A
RA
Cavenee
Webster K
WK
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009336:Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy