Date of Award
Spring 2024
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Sophie Farley
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor occurring in adults with a median survival of less than two years. It is a highly invasive tumor characterized by genetic heterogeneity, angiogenesis, and rapid proliferation. Patients undergo a multimodal treatment regimen consisting of surgical resection and chemoradiation therapy, yet GBM tumors almost always recur with a worsening prognosis. The molecular and genetic complexities of GBM pose a significant challenge for developing effective therapeutics. Thus, it is imperative to identify new therapeutic targets and explore novel treatment strategies to improve patients’ overall survival time and quality of life. This presentation reviews GBM pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and standard treatment and introduces novel unconventional interventions, providing an update on recent advancements in the treatment of GBM.
Recommended Citation
Morang, Danielle, "Emerging Unconventional Therapies for Glioblastoma Multiforme" (2024). Capstone Showcase. 23.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2024/pa/23
Included in
Medical Genetics Commons, Medical Immunology Commons, Medical Neurobiology Commons, Nervous System Diseases Commons, Neurosciences Commons
Emerging Unconventional Therapies for Glioblastoma Multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor occurring in adults with a median survival of less than two years. It is a highly invasive tumor characterized by genetic heterogeneity, angiogenesis, and rapid proliferation. Patients undergo a multimodal treatment regimen consisting of surgical resection and chemoradiation therapy, yet GBM tumors almost always recur with a worsening prognosis. The molecular and genetic complexities of GBM pose a significant challenge for developing effective therapeutics. Thus, it is imperative to identify new therapeutic targets and explore novel treatment strategies to improve patients’ overall survival time and quality of life. This presentation reviews GBM pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and standard treatment and introduces novel unconventional interventions, providing an update on recent advancements in the treatment of GBM.