Advances in Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma.

TitleAdvances in Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsMann J, Ramakrishna R, Magge R, A Wernicke G
JournalFront Neurol
Volume8
Pagination748
Date Published2017
ISSN1664-2295
Abstract

External beam radiotherapy (RT) has long played a crucial role in the treatment of glioblastoma. Over the past several decades, significant advances in RT treatment and image-guidance technology have led to enormous improvements in the ability to optimize definitive and salvage treatments. This review highlights several of the latest developments and controversies related to RT, including the treatment of elderly patients, who continue to be a fragile and vulnerable population; potential salvage options for recurrent disease including reirradiation with chemotherapy; the latest imaging techniques allowing for more accurate and precise delineation of treatment volumes to maximize the therapeutic ratio of conformal RT; the ongoing preclinical and clinical data regarding the combination of immunotherapy with RT; and the increasing evidence of cancer stem-cell niches in the subventricular zone which may provide a potential target for local therapies. Finally, continued development on many fronts have allowed for modestly improved outcomes while at the same time limiting toxicity.

DOI10.3389/fneur.2017.00748
Alternate JournalFront Neurol
PubMed ID29379468
PubMed Central IDPMC5775505