Targeted therapy in patients with malignant brain gliomas
Résumé
Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumours in adult patients. Despite modest improvement in survival, the prognosis is still far from expected in this disease. Molecularly directed (targeted) therapies investigated to date include inhibitors of the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and anti-antiangiogenic agent VEGFR (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor). Unfortunately, the number of patients with long-term response to this agents remains low. The results of already conducted and preliminary results of ongoing clinical trials assessing the role of monoclonal antibodies against EGFR and VEGF are presented. Rationale for such forms of treatment and of different options of targeted therapy are also discussed. It seems, that identification of biomarkers that will allow a more accurate prediction of which patients are likely to benefit from a specific treatment is of particular importance. © Onkologia i Radioterapia 2010.