A review of VEGF/VEGFR-targeted therapeutics for recurrent glioblastoma. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Glioblastoma, the most common primary malignant brain tumor among adults, is a highly angiogenic and deadly tumor. Angiogenesis in glioblastoma, driven by hypoxia-dependent and independent mechanisms, is primarily mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and generates blood vessels with distinctive features. The outcome for patients with recurrent glioblastoma is poor because of ineffective therapies. However, recent encouraging rates of radiographic response and progression-free survival, and adequate safety, led the FDA to grant accelerated approval of bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF, for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma in May 2009. These results have triggered significant interest in additional antiangiogenic agents and therapeutic strategies for patients with both recurrent and newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Given the potent antipermeability effect of VEGF inhibitors, the Radiologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria were recently implemented to better assess response among patients with glioblastoma. Although bevacizumab improves survival and quality of life, eventual tumor progression is the norm. Better understanding of resistance mechanisms to VEGF inhibitors and identification of effective therapy after bevacizumab progression are currently a critical need for patients with glioblastoma.

publication date

  • April 1, 2011

Research

keywords

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms
  • Glioblastoma
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC3399727

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 79953840934

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.6004/jnccn.2011.0038

PubMed ID

  • 21464146

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 9

issue

  • 4