Toxin-based targeted therapy for malignant brain tumors.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)

Despite advances in conventional treatment modalities for malignant brain tumors-surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy-the prognosis for patients with high-grade astrocytic tumor remains dismal. The highly heterogeneous and diffuse nature of astrocytic tumors calls for the development of novel therapies. Advances in genomic and proteomic research indicate that treatment of brain tumor patients can be increasingly personalized according to the characteristics of the targeted tumor and its environment. Consequently, during the last two decades, a novel class of investigative drug candidates for the treatment of central nervous system neoplasia has emerged: recombinant fusion protein conjugates armed with cytotoxic agents targeting tumor-specific antigens. The clinical applicability of the tumor-antigen-directed cytotoxic proteins as a safe and viable therapy for brain tumors is being investigated. Thus far, results from ongoing clinical trials are encouraging, as disease stabilization and patient survival prolongation have been observed in at least 109 cases. This paper summarizes the major findings pertaining to treatment with the different antiglioma cytotoxins at the preclinical and clinical stages.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Chandramohan, V; Sampson, JH; Pastan, I; Bigner, DD

Published Date

  • 2012

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 2012 /

Start / End Page

  • 480429 -

PubMed ID

  • 22400035

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3287048

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1740-2530

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1155/2012/480429

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • Egypt