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Weller J, Potthoff AL, Zeyen T, Schaub C, Duffy C, Schneider M, Herrlinger U. Current status of precision oncology in adult glioblastoma. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38899374 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The concept of precision oncology, the application of targeted drugs based on comprehensive molecular profiling, has revolutionized treatment strategies in oncology. This review summarizes the current status of precision oncology in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults with a median survival below 2 years. Targeted treatments without prior target verification have consistently failed. Patients with BRAF V600E-mutated GBM benefit from BRAF/MEK-inhibition, whereas targeting EGFR alterations was unsuccessful due to poor tumor penetration, tumor cell heterogeneity, and pathway redundancies. Systematic screening for actionable molecular alterations resulted in low rates (< 10%) of targeted treatments. Efficacy was observed in one-third and currently appears to be limited to BRAF-, VEGFR-, and mTOR-directed treatments. Advancing precision oncology for GBM requires consideration of pathways instead of single alterations, new trial concepts enabling rapid and adaptive drug evaluation, a focus on drugs with sufficient bioavailability in the CNS, and the extension of target discovery and validation to the tumor microenvironment, tumor cell networks, and their interaction with immune cells and neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Weller
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Zeyen
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Christina Schaub
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Cathrina Duffy
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Herrlinger
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
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2
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Pham LC, Weller L, Gann CN, Schumacher KM, Vlassak S, Swanson T, Highsmith K, O'Brien BJ, Nash S, Aaroe A, de Groot JF, Majd NK. Prolonged complete response to adjuvant tepotinib in a patient with newly diagnosed disseminated glioblastoma harboring mesenchymal-epithelial transition fusion. Oncologist 2024:oyae100. [PMID: 38815166 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) remains poor despite current treatments. Targeted therapy in GBM has been the subject of intense investigation but has not been successful in clinical trials. The reasons for the failure of targeted therapy in GBM are multifold and include a lack of patient selection in trials, the failure to identify driver mutations, and poor blood-brain barrier penetration of investigational drugs. Here, we describe a case of a durable complete response in a newly diagnosed patient with GBM with leptomeningeal dissemination and PTPRZ1-MET fusion who was treated with tepotinib, a brain-penetrant MET inhibitor. This case of successful targeted therapy in a patient with GBM demonstrates that early molecular testing, identification of driver molecular alterations, and treatment with brain-penetrant small molecule inhibitors have the potential to change the outcome in select patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily C Pham
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lauryn Weller
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | | | | | - Todd Swanson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kaitlin Highsmith
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Barbara J O'Brien
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sebnem Nash
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ashley Aaroe
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - John F de Groot
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Nazanin K Majd
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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3
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Al-Ghabkari A, Huang B, Park M. Aberrant MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling in Glioblastoma: Targeted Therapy and Future Directions. Cells 2024; 13:218. [PMID: 38334610 PMCID: PMC10854665 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms characterized by a high degree of aggressiveness and a poor prognosis. Despite recent therapeutic advances, the treatment of brain tumors, including glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive primary brain tumor associated with poor prognosis and resistance to therapy, remains a significant challenge. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are critical during development and in adulthood. Dysregulation of RTKs through activating mutations and gene amplification contributes to many human cancers and provides attractive therapeutic targets for treatment. Under physiological conditions, the Met RTK, the hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) receptor, promotes fundamental signaling cascades that modulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) involved in tissue repair and embryogenesis. In cancer, increased Met activity promotes tumor growth and metastasis by providing signals for proliferation, survival, and migration/invasion. Recent clinical genomic studies have unveiled multiple mechanisms by which MET is genetically altered in GBM, including focal amplification, chromosomal rearrangements generating gene fusions, and a splicing variant mutation (exon 14 skipping, METex14del). Notably, MET overexpression contributes to chemotherapy resistance in GBM by promoting the survival of cancer stem-like cells. This is linked to distinctive Met-induced pathways, such as the upregulation of DNA repair mechanisms, which can protect tumor cells from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. The development of MET-targeted therapies represents a major step forward in the treatment of brain tumours. Preclinical studies have shown that MET-targeted therapies (monoclonal antibodies or small molecule inhibitors) can suppress growth and invasion, enhancing the efficacy of conventional therapies. Early-phase clinical trials have demonstrated promising results with MET-targeted therapies in improving overall survival for patients with recurrent GBM. However, challenges remain, including the need for patient stratification, the optimization of treatment regimens, and the identification of mechanisms of resistance. This review aims to highlight the current understanding of mechanisms underlying MET dysregulation in GBM. In addition, it will focus on the ongoing preclinical and clinical assessment of therapies targeting MET dysregulation in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulhameed Al-Ghabkari
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada; (A.A.-G.); (B.H.)
| | - Bruce Huang
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada; (A.A.-G.); (B.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada; (A.A.-G.); (B.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3T2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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4
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Frumento D, Grossi G, Falesiedi M, Musumeci F, Carbone A, Schenone S. Small Molecule Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) for Glioblastoma Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1398. [PMID: 38338677 PMCID: PMC10855061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, many small molecules, usually characterized by heterocyclic scaffolds, have been designed and synthesized as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Among them, several compounds have been tested at preclinical and clinical levels to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most common and aggressive type of cancer originating in the brain and has an unfavorable prognosis, with a median survival of 15-16 months and a 5-year survival rate of 5%. Despite recent advances in treating GBM, it represents an incurable disease associated with treatment resistance and high recurrence rates. For these reasons, there is an urgent need for the development of new pharmacological agents to fight this malignancy. In this review, we reported the compounds published in the last five years, which showed promising activity in GBM preclinical models acting as TKIs. We grouped the compounds based on the targeted kinase: first, we reported receptor TKIs and then, cytoplasmic and peculiar kinase inhibitors. For each small molecule, we included the chemical structure, and we schematized the interaction with the target for some representative compounds with the aim of elucidating the mechanism of action. Finally, we cited the most relevant clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Francesca Musumeci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (D.F.); (G.G.); (M.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Anna Carbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (D.F.); (G.G.); (M.F.); (S.S.)
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Kusaczuk M, Ambel ET, Naumowicz M, Velasco G. Cellular stress responses as modulators of drug cytotoxicity in pharmacotherapy of glioblastoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189054. [PMID: 38103622 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the extensive efforts to find effective therapeutic strategies, glioblastoma (GBM) remains a therapeutic challenge with dismal prognosis of survival. Over the last decade the role of stress responses in GBM therapy has gained a great deal of attention, since depending on the duration and intensity of these cellular programs they can be cytoprotective or promote cancer cell death. As such, initiation of the UPR, autophagy or oxidative stress may either impede or facilitate drug-mediated cell killing. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms that regulate ER stress, autophagy, and oxidative stress during GBM development and progression to later discuss the involvement of these stress pathways in the response to different treatments. We also discuss how a precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating stress responses evoked by different pharmacological agents could decisively contribute to the design of novel and more effective combinational treatments against brain malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kusaczuk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Elena Tovar Ambel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Monika Naumowicz
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, K. Ciolkowskiego 1K, 15-245 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Guillermo Velasco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Pflug KM, Lee DW, Tripathi A, Bankaitis VA, Burgess K, Sitcheran R. Cyanine Dye Conjugation Enhances Crizotinib Localization to Intracranial Tumors, Attenuating NF-κB-Inducing Kinase Activity and Glioma Progression. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:6140-6150. [PMID: 37939020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive form of brain cancer with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. The ALK and c-MET inhibitor Crizotinib has demonstrated preclinical therapeutic potential for newly diagnosed GBM, although its efficacy is limited by poor penetration of the blood brain barrier. Here, we identify Crizotinib as a novel inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-inducing kinase, which is a key regulator of GBM growth and proliferation. We further show that the conjugation of Crizotinib to a heptamethine cyanine dye, or a near-infrared dye (IR-Crizotinib), attenuated glioma cell proliferation and survival in vitro to a greater extent than unconjugated Crizotinib. Moreover, we observed increased IR-Crizotinib localization to orthotopic mouse xenograft GBM tumors, which resulted in impaired tumor growth in vivo. Overall, IR-Crizotinib exhibited improved intracranial chemotherapeutic delivery and tumor localization with concurrent inhibition of NIK and noncanonical NF-κB signaling, thereby reducing glioma growth in vitro, as well as in vivo, and increasing survival in a preclinical rodent model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Pflug
- Department of Cellular Biology and Genetics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center , College Station, Texas 77807, United States
| | - Dong W Lee
- Department of Cellular Biology and Genetics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center , College Station, Texas 77807, United States
| | - Ashutosh Tripathi
- Department of Cellular Biology and Genetics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center , College Station, Texas 77807, United States
| | - Vytas A Bankaitis
- Department of Cellular Biology and Genetics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center , College Station, Texas 77807, United States
| | - Kevin Burgess
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842, United States
| | - Raquel Sitcheran
- Department of Cellular Biology and Genetics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center , College Station, Texas 77807, United States
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Dewdney B, Jenkins MR, Best SA, Freytag S, Prasad K, Holst J, Endersby R, Johns TG. From signalling pathways to targeted therapies: unravelling glioblastoma's secrets and harnessing two decades of progress. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:400. [PMID: 37857607 PMCID: PMC10587102 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01637-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma, a rare, and highly lethal form of brain cancer, poses significant challenges in terms of therapeutic resistance, and poor survival rates for both adult and paediatric patients alike. Despite advancements in brain cancer research driven by a technological revolution, translating our understanding of glioblastoma pathogenesis into improved clinical outcomes remains a critical unmet need. This review emphasises the intricate role of receptor tyrosine kinase signalling pathways, epigenetic mechanisms, and metabolic functions in glioblastoma tumourigenesis and therapeutic resistance. We also discuss the extensive efforts over the past two decades that have explored targeted therapies against these pathways. Emerging therapeutic approaches, such as antibody-toxin conjugates or CAR T cell therapies, offer potential by specifically targeting proteins on the glioblastoma cell surface. Combination strategies incorporating protein-targeted therapy and immune-based therapies demonstrate great promise for future clinical research. Moreover, gaining insights into the role of cell-of-origin in glioblastoma treatment response holds the potential to advance precision medicine approaches. Addressing these challenges is crucial to improving outcomes for glioblastoma patients and moving towards more effective precision therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Dewdney
- Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.
- Centre For Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Misty R Jenkins
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
| | - Sarah A Best
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia
| | - Saskia Freytag
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia
| | - Krishneel Prasad
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
| | - Jeff Holst
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Raelene Endersby
- Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
- Centre For Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Terrance G Johns
- Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
- Centre For Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
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Frosina G. Radiotherapy of high-grade gliomas: dealing with a stalemate. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 190:104110. [PMID: 37657520 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This article discusses the studies on radiotherapy of high-grade gliomas published between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022, with special reference to their molecular biology basis. The focus was on advances in radioresistance, radiosensitization and the toxicity of radiotherapy treatments. In the first half of 2022, several important advances have been made in understanding resistance mechanisms in high-grade gliomas. Furthermore, the development of several radiosensitization procedures for these deadly tumors, including studies with small molecule radiosensitizers, new fractionation protocols, and new immunostimulatory agents, has progressed in both the preclinical and clinical settings, reflecting the frantic research effort in the field. However, since 2005 our research efforts fail to produce significant improvements to treatment guidelines for high-grade gliomas. Possible reasons for this stalemate and measures to overcome it are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Frosina
- Mutagenesis & Cancer Prevention Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
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Vaz-Salgado MA, Villamayor M, Albarrán V, Alía V, Sotoca P, Chamorro J, Rosero D, Barrill AM, Martín M, Fernandez E, Gutierrez JA, Rojas-Medina LM, Ley L. Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Review of the Treatment Options. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4279. [PMID: 37686553 PMCID: PMC10487236 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a disease with a poor prognosis. Multiple efforts have been made to improve the long-term outcome, but the 5-year survival rate is still 5-10%. Recurrence of the disease is the usual way of progression. In this situation, there is no standard treatment. Different treatment options can be considered. Among them would be reoperation or reirradiation. There are different studies that have assessed the impact on survival and the selection of patients who may benefit most from these strategies. Chemotherapy treatments have also been considered in several studies, mainly with alkylating agents, with data mostly from phase II studies. On the other hand, multiple studies have been carried out with target-directed treatments. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody with anti-angiogenic activity, has demonstrated activity in several studies, and the FDA has approved it for this indication. Several other TKI drugs have been evaluated in this setting, but no clear benefit has been demonstrated. Immunotherapy treatments have been shown to be effective in other types of tumors, and several studies have evaluated their efficacy in this disease, both immune checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, and vaccines. This paper reviews data from different studies that have evaluated the efficacy of different forms of relapsed glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angeles Vaz-Salgado
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.); (V.A.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (J.C.); (D.R.); (A.M.B.)
| | - María Villamayor
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.); (V.A.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (J.C.); (D.R.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Víctor Albarrán
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.); (V.A.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (J.C.); (D.R.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Víctor Alía
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.); (V.A.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (J.C.); (D.R.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Pilar Sotoca
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.); (V.A.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (J.C.); (D.R.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Jesús Chamorro
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.); (V.A.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (J.C.); (D.R.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Diana Rosero
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.); (V.A.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (J.C.); (D.R.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Ana M. Barrill
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.V.); (V.A.); (V.A.); (P.S.); (J.C.); (D.R.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Mercedes Martín
- Radiotherapy Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (E.F.)
| | - Eva Fernandez
- Radiotherapy Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (E.F.)
| | - José Antonio Gutierrez
- Neurosurgery Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.G.); (L.M.R.-M.); (L.L.)
| | - Luis Mariano Rojas-Medina
- Neurosurgery Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.G.); (L.M.R.-M.); (L.L.)
| | - Luis Ley
- Neurosurgery Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (J.A.G.); (L.M.R.-M.); (L.L.)
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10
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Nafe R, Hattingen E. The Spectrum of Molecular Pathways in Gliomas-An Up-to-Date Review. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2281. [PMID: 37626776 PMCID: PMC10452344 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last 20 years, molecular alterations have gained increasing significance in the diagnosis and biological assessment of tumors. Gliomas represent the largest group of tumors of the central nervous system, and the main aim of this review is to present the current knowledge on molecular pathways and their alterations in gliomas. A wide range of new insights has been gained, including evidence for the involvement of the WNT pathway or the hippo pathway in the pathobiology of gliomas, indicating a broad involvement of different pathways formerly not considered to play a central role in gliomas. Even new aspects of angiogenic, apoptotic, and metabolic pathways are presented, as well as the rapidly growing field of epigenetic processes, including non-coding RNAs. The two major conclusions drawn from the present review are the distinct interconnectivity of the whole spectrum of molecular pathways and the prominent role of non-coding RNAs, especially circular RNAs, in the regulation of specific targets. All these new insights are discussed, even considering the topic of the resistance to therapy of gliomas, along with aspects that are still incompletely understood, like the role of hydroxymethylation, or even ferroptosis, in the pathobiology of gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhold Nafe
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinics of Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Schleusenweg 2-16, D-60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
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