title: Molecular targets in glioblastoma.
abstract: Glioblastoma is the most lethal brain tumor. The poor prognosis results from lack of defined tumor margins, critical location of the tumor mass and presence of chemo- and radio-resistant tumor stem cells. The current treatment for glioblastoma consists of neurosurgery, followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy. A better understanding of the role of molecular and genetic heterogeneity in glioblastoma pathogenesis allowed the design of novel targeted therapies. New targets include different key-role signaling molecules and specifically altered pathways. The new approaches include interference through small molecules or monoclonal antibodies and RNA-based strategies mediated by siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides and ribozymes. Most of these treatments are still being tested yet they stay as solid promises for a clinically relevant success.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Maira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zorzan
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giordan
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Redaelli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caretta
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mucignat-Caretta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009154:Mutation; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
keywords: diagnosis; glioblastoma; intracellular pathways; signaling; therapy