Cytoskeletal proteins as glioblastoma biomarkers and targets for therapy: A systematic review

Glioblastoma, the most common primary brain malignancy, is an exceptionally fatal cancer. Lack of suitable biomarkers and efficient treatment largely contribute to the therapy failure. Cytoskeletal proteins are crucial proteins in glioblastoma pathogenesis and can potentially serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Among them, GFAP, has gained most attention as potential diagnostic biomarker, while vimentin and microtubules are considered as prospective therapeutic targets. Microtubules represent one of the best anti-cancer targets due to their critical role in cell proliferation. Despite testing in clinical trials, the efficiency of taxanes, epothilones, vinca-domain binding drugs, colchicine-domain binding drugs and gamma-tubulin binding drugs remains to be confirmed. Moreover, tumor treating field that disrupts microtubules draw attention because of its high efficiency and is called the fourth cancer treatment modality. Thereby, because of the involvement of cytoskeleton in key physiological and pathological processes, its therapeutic potential in glioblastoma is currently extensively investigated.

Automated summary

Glioblastoma is an exceptionally fatal primary brain malignancy with lack of suitable biomarkers and efficient treatment contributing to therapy failure; cytoskeletal proteins play crucial roles in pathogenesis and have potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.