Review Glioblastoma multiforme – an overview

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme is a central nervous system tumor of grade IV histological malignancy according to the WHO classification. Over 90% of diagnosed glioblastomas multiforme cases are primary gliomas, arising from normal glial cells through multistep oncogenesis. The remaining 10% are secondary gliomas originating from tumors of lower grade. These tumors expand distinctly more slowly. Although genetic alterations and deregulations of molecular pathways leading to both primary and secondary glioblastomas formation differ, morphologically they do not reveal any significant differences. Glioblastoma is a neoplasm that occurs spontaneously, although familial gliomas have also been noted. Caucasians, especially those living in industrial areas, have a higher incidence of glioblastoma. Cases of glioblastoma in infants and children are also reported. The participation of sex hormones and viruses in its oncogenesis was also suggested. Progression of glioblastoma multiforme is associated with deregulation of checkpoint G1/S of a cell cycle and occurrence of multiple genetic abnormalities of tumor cells. Metastases of glioblastoma multiforme are rarely described. Treatment of glioblastoma multiforme includes tumor resection, as well as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Drugs inhibiting integrin signaling pathways and immunotherapy are also employed. Treatment modalities and prognosis depend on the tumor localization, degree of its malignancy, genetic profile, proliferation activity, patient's age and the Karnofsky performance scale score. Although the biology of glioblastoma multiforme has recently been widely investigated, the studies summarizing the knowledge of its development and treatment are still not sufficient in terms of comprehensive brain tumor analysis.

Analysis of Olig2 and YKL-40 expression: a clinicopathological/immunohistochemical study for the distinction between subventricular zone II and III glioblastomas

“…To date, the extent of resection has been an accepted prognostic factor [3,23,33]. Nevertheless, although it is well accepted that tumor resection may improve the symptoms we have found impact on OS only in the univariate analysis.…”

“…The extent of resection was classified as total (> 95%), subtotal (< 95%) or biopsy by a neu roradiologist blinded to patient outcomes. Patients with a Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score ≥ 70 and age < 60 were included to receive conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgical resec tion: 1.82.0 Gy per day, over a period of 6 weeks, for a total dose of 60 Gy and temozolomide therapy at a dose of 75 mg/m 2 per day, seven days a week for 42 consecutive days during radiotherapy (as used in the EORTC study by Stupp et al) [19,31,33].…”

Tumor-Treating Fields: A Fourth Modality in Cancer Treatment

“…GBM encompasses a heterogeneous group of highly vascularized and invasive tumors of the central nervous system (44,45). GBM represents the most common and most lethal type of primary malignant brain tumor in adults with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 3.2 to 4.5 per 100,000 (46,47).…”

In vitroantitumor activities of the lichen compounds olivetoric, physodic and psoromic acid in rat neuron and glioblastoma cells

“…The first symptoms resulting from this pressure are headache and dizziness. Loss of sensation and movement occurring on one side of the body, speech disorders, visual disturbances (blurred vision, double vision) and cognitive disorders are other GBM symptoms (Goldlust et al 2008;Urbańska et al 2014).…”