title: Glioblastoma multiforme: State of the art and future therapeutics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal primary malignancy of the central nervous system (CNS). Despite the proven benefit of surgical resection and aggressive treatment with chemo- and radiotherapy, the prognosis remains very poor. Recent advances of our understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of GBM have allowed the development of a wide array of novel therapeutic approaches, which have been developed. These novel approaches include molecularly targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and gene therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We offer a brief review of the current standard of care, and a survey of novel therapeutic approaches for treatment of GBM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite promising results in preclinical trials, many of these therapies have demonstrated limited therapeutic efficacy in human clinical trials. Thus, although survival of patients with GBM continues to slowly improve, treatment of GBM remains extremely challenging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continued research and development of targeted therapies, based on a detailed understanding of molecular pathogenesis can reasonably be expected to yield improved outcomes for patients with GBM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Taylor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Matthias A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Karajannis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, NY, USA.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Harter
keywords: Glioblastoma multiforme; gene therapy; immunotherapy; molecularly targeted therapy