Abstract
The treatment for high-grade glioma remains an enigma. The standard treatment using
surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy for such highly malignant lesions has
only yielded modest results, in terms of survival and improving the quality of life
of patients. Less than 10% of such patients survive beyond two years. All conventional
therapies have failed to increase the survival beyond this extent. There has been
a growing interest in the molecular approaches for the treatment of high-grade gliomas
which include gene therapy, oncolytic virotherapy, and immunotherapy. These new therapies
are in preclinical and investigational stages. They may not substitute the conventional
therapies; they may not be the ultimate elixir for this deadly disease. However, in
the coming years, they are likely to have synergistic and complimentary roles alongside
conventional therapies. Through this paper, we have attempted to highlight the rationale
behind gene therapy which can be used for cytotoxic approaches, immunomodulation strategy,
and targeted toxin delivery in the tumor cell. We have reviewed current available
literature and through this paper focus on reporting such therapeutic options, their
potential usage, benefits and limitations.
Key words
Current studies - gene therapy - malignant glioma - novel therapy
