Glioblastoma: Current Chemotherapeutic Status and Need for New Targets and Approaches

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive, invasive and malignant type of glioma : a tumor which arises from the glial cells in the brain (Wrensch et al., 2002). Glioblastoma represents 54% of all the gliomas and 18% of all brain tumors (CBTRUS, 2011). It is the frequently occurring brain tumor in humans. Patients with glioblastoma usually survive 12-15 months or less after diagnosis. (Krex et al., 2007; Chandana et al., 2008). Because prognosis for patients with glioblastoma is abysmal and current therapies for the disease are ineffective, this review critically evaluates the current chemotherapeutic status of glioblastoma and highlights the need for new therapeutic targets and approaches. The ultimate goal is to improve the outcome of glioblastoma patients.