1. Translational research in glioblastoma multiforme: molecular criteria for patient selection
- Author
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Miquel Taron, Noemi Reguart, Rafael Rosell, Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Jia Wei, Fernanda Salazar, S. Villà, Itziar de Aguirre, Mariacarmela Santarpia, Miguel Angel Molina, C. Balana, Ramon De Las Penas, David M. Jablons, and Jose Luis Ramirez
- Subjects
Cancer Research ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Translational research ,Bioinformatics ,Endoplasmic Reticulum ,Central Nervous System Neoplasms ,PTEN ,Medicine ,Humans ,DNA Modification Methylases ,Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ,Selection (genetic algorithm) ,Heat-Shock Proteins ,Temozolomide ,biology ,business.industry ,Patient Selection ,Stem Cells ,Tumor Suppressor Proteins ,General Medicine ,Methylation ,Clinical trial ,Radiation therapy ,Wnt Proteins ,Real-time polymerase chain reaction ,DNA Repair Enzymes ,Oncology ,biology.protein ,business ,Glioblastoma ,Transcription Factor CHOP ,medicine.drug ,Molecular Chaperones ,Signal Transduction - Abstract
In spite of the dismal outcome of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), we are in a position to provide a ray of hope to patients and families. Methylation of MGMT in tumor occurs in approximately a third of patients and predicts meaningful response and survival to adjuvant radiotherapy plus temozolomide. Limited access to tumor tissue in some patients could be circumvented by examining MGMT methylation in circulating serum DNA, although this approach needs to be validated. Molecular signatures are also promising prognostic and predictive markers, and clinical trials should be carried out to validate their use in the selection of patients for specific targeted therapies. Gene expression by quantitative PCR of key components of these molecular signatures could pave the way for easy identification of different subgroups of patients. Translational clinical trials are warranted in order to detect the subgroups of patients resistant to radiotherapy who may derive benefit from novel therapies, including antiangiogenic drugs.
- Published
- 2008