Glioblastoma multiforme: an emerging paradigm of anti-VEGF therapy.
BACKGROUND
Adults with malignant glioma, especially the most common subtype, glioblastoma multiforme, have an unacceptably poor outcome with current therapies. Malignant gliomas are amongst the most angiogenic of cancers, and VEGF is the dominant angiogenic mediator in these tumors.


OBJECTIVE
To summarize the clinical experience of VEGF-directed treatment for malignant glioma.


METHODS
We reviewed the completed, ongoing and planned clinical trials evaluating anti-VEGF strategies for malignant glioma patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent studies incorporating anti-VEGF agents plus cytotoxic therapy among recurrent malignant glioma patients have achieved unprecedented improvements in radiographic response, time to progression and survival. Furthermore, acceptable toxicity was observed. Hence, a major current focus in neuro-oncology is to further develop antiangiogenic strategies for this desperate patient population.
Reardon
David A
DA
Duke University Medical Center, Neuro-Oncology Program, Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, 047 Baker House, Box 3624, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. reard003@mc.duke.edu
Wen
Patrick Y
PY
Desjardins
Annick
A
Batchelor
Tracy T
TT
Vredenburgh
James J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A