Chemotherapy and immunotherapy of malignant glioma: molecular mechanisms and clinical perspectives |
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Authors: | W Roth M Weller |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, School of Medicine, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, D-72076 Tübingen (Germany), Fax +49 7071 295260, DE |
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Abstract: | Despite the considerable progress in modern tumor therapy, the prognosis for patients with glioblastoma, the most frequent
malignant brain tumor, has not been substantially improved. Although cytoreductive surgery and radiotherapy are the mainstays
of treatment for malignant glioma at present, novel cytotoxic drugs and immunotherapeutic approaches hold great promise as
effective weapons against these malignancies. Thus, great efforts are being made to enhance antitumoral efficacy by combining
various cytotoxic agents, by novel routes of drug administration, or by combining anticancer drugs and immune modulators.
Immunotherapeutic approaches include cytotoxic cytokines, targeted antibodies, and vaccination strategies. However, the success
of most of these experimental therapies is prevented by the marked molecular resistance of glioma cells to diverse cytotoxic
agents or by glioma-associated immunosuppression. One promising experimental strategy to target glioma is the employment of
death ligands such as CD95 (Fas/Apo1) ligand or Apo2 ligand (TRAIL). Specific proapoptotic approaches may overcome many of
the obvious obstacles to a satisfactory management of malignant brain tumors.
Received 8 March 1999; received after revision 27 May 1999; accepted 14 June 1999 |
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Keywords: | , Immunotherapy, chemotherapy, malignant glioma, CD95 (Fas/Apo1), Apo2L (TRAIL), apoptosis, |
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