New treatment options in the management of glioblastoma multiforme: a focus on bevacizumab

Review

(3288) Views  (1420) Full article downloads

Authors: Argirios Moustakas, Teri N Kreisl

Published Date March 2010 Volume 2010:3 Pages 27 - 38

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OTT.S5307

Argirios Moustakas, Teri N Kreisl

National Cancer Institute, Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Abstract: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults and carries the poorest prognosis. Despite recent progress in molecular biology, neuro-imaging and neuro-surgical care, the management of patients with GBM continues to harbor significant challenges. Survival after diagnosis is poor even with the most aggressive approach using multimodality therapy. Although the etiology of malignant gliomas is not known, the dependency of tumor growth on angiogenesis has identified this pathway as a promising therapeutic target. Bevacizumab was the first antiangiogenic therapy approved for use in cancer and received accelerated Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of recurrent GBM in 2009, the first new drug for this disease in over a decade. This review describes the rationale behind the treatment of GBM with bevacizumab. The pharmacology, efficacy, safety and tolerability of bevacizumab will also be reviewed.

Keywords: glioblastoma multiforme, angiogenesis, bevacizumab