Glioma | Niche and Rare Pharmacor | G7 | 2015
Glioma, a type of tumor that affects the glial cells in the brain, is the most common form of central nervous system tumor. Astrocytic tumors are the most common histological subtype of glioma, and glioblastoma accounts for most astrocytic tumors. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive glioma subtype and has the poorest prognosis. R&D activity focuses on glioblastoma. Surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy constitute the mainstay of glioma management. Drug treatment options are limited, and the therapeutic arsenal is widely regarded as suboptimal. Temozolomide (generics) is the standard of care for newly diagnosed glioblastoma, and Avastin (Roche/Genentech’s bevacizumab) is commonly prescribed for recurrent glioblastoma. Therapeutic vaccines and an immune checkpoint inhibitor are in Phase III clinical development for glioblastoma; these novel therapies hold promise of fulfilling unmet need for more effective therapies in this difficult-to-treat indication.
