Mechanisms of Resistance and Current Treatment Options for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the hardest-to-treat brain tumors, often resistant to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Despite advances in cancer research and treatment, the survival rate for glioblastoma patients remains low, with most patients only surviving for a few months to a year after diagnosis. This is due in part to the nature of glioblastoma tumors, which contain cells that are highly resistant to traditional cancer treatments. These cancer cells can evade the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, making it difficult to achieve lasting remissions or cures. This work aims to summarize recent findings about this tumor and the progress in developing new treatment options. The highest focus of this paper is on the mechanisms of glioblastoma multiforme resistance and the possibility to reverse it using nanocarriers. ABSTRACT: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive form of brain cancer that is difficult to treat due to its resistance to both radiation and chemotherapy. This resistance is largely due to the unique biology of GBM cells, which can evade the effects of conventional treatments through mechanisms such as increased resistance to cell death and rapid regeneration of cancerous cells. Additionally, the blood–brain barrier makes it difficult for chemotherapy drugs to reach GBM cells, leading to reduced effectiveness. Despite these challenges, there are several treatment options available for GBM. The standard of care for newly diagnosed GBM patients involves surgical resection followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Emerging treatments include immunotherapy, such as checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted therapies, such as bevacizumab, that attempt to attack specific vulnerabilities in GBM cells. Another promising approach is the use of tumor-treating fields, a type of electric field therapy that has been shown to slow the growth of GBM cells. Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these and other innovative treatments for GBM, intending to improve with outcomes for patients.