The ability of the tumor cells to divide (cell division).
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common form of adult primary brain tumor. It is also known as grade III/III or IV/IV astrocytoma, depending on the grading scale used. Glioblastoma is believed to arise from cells called astrocytes. Traditionally, treatment has consisted of maximal surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, new advances in treatment have allowed for improvements in tumor control and in quality of life.
Glioblastomas usually progress at the site of original growth, but can travel to other parts of the brain. In addition, glioblastomas, like other forms of brain tumor, can infiltrate normal brain tissue. This infiltration makes complete removal of glioblastomas virtually impossible, thereby necessitating other forms of therapy.
Glioblastomas, like other tumors, require require a number of conditions for growth for growth. These include:
The ability of the tumor cells to divide (cell division).
The ability of the tumor cells to move through the brain (cell motility).
The ability of tumor cells to form a new blood supply to meet their need for nutrition and oxygen
(angiogenesis).
While radiation therapy affects all factors, traditional chemotherapy, for the most part, has targeted cellular division only. However, new classes of anti-tumor drugs targeting cell motility and angiogenesis (most notably thalidomide) are either in development or in clinical trials.
| Thalidomide |
Chemotherapy |
| Astrocytoma |
Tamoxifen and other less toxic therapies |
|
Clinical Trials |
Radiation Therapy |