What's next in glioblastoma treatment: Tumor-targeted or immune-targeted therapies?

Introduction > Glioblastoma (GBM) is associated with a poor prognosis. This review will discuss different directions of treatment, mostly regarding immunotherapies and combinatorial approaches. Development > Standard treatment for newly diagnosed GBM is maximal and safe surgical resection followed by concurrent radiochemotherapy (RCT) based on temozolomide, allowing 14.6 months median survival. Nowadays, no combination with molecular-targeted therapy had significantly improved prognosis. Phases I and II data are emerging, highlighting the potential efficacy of associations with other therapies. Studies have suggested the potential of targeting tumor stem cells, at less partially responsible for resistance to RCT. There is now some evidence that immunotherapy is also relevant for brain tumors. Treatment strategies have mainly explored vaccines strategies, such as the dendritic cell, heat shock protein or EGFRvIII vaccines. Of the work initiated in melanoma, immune checkpoints inhibitors have exhibited stimulating results. Others trials have demonstrated potential of autologous stimulated lymphocytes. Moreover, strong data indicates that radiation therapy has the potential to promote immunogenicity and create a sort of in situ personalized vaccine. Conclusion > These data provide strong evidence to support the potential of associating combinatorial targeted and/or immunotherapeutic regimens in patients with GBM that may change patient outcome.