Selected cytostatic drugs in the treatment of brain glioma – literature review

Abstract

Introduction and objective Gliomas are a highly heterogenous group of tumours of the nervous system. They are characterized by a varied course of disease. Depending on the cancer stage, they affect overall survival and progression-free survival. In view of the varied disease course, an individualized chemotherapeutic regimen is the most significant treatment.The aim of the study is to present up-to-date information on the most important cytostatic drugs used in the treatment of glioma. Review methods A review of previous knowledge and the latest scientific reports was undertaken using the publication databases PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, focusing mainly on articles from the last five years. The key words and their combinations used for the search were consistent with the MeSH browser: glioma, cytostatic agents, temozolomide, procarbazine, lomustine, vincristine, bevacizumab. Brief description of the state of knowledge In the treatment of gliomas, temozolomide, lomustine, procarbazine, vincristine and bevacizumab are used. Combination therapy based on multi-drug regimens or chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy is also often used. Current therapies include cytostatic drugs, such temozolomide (TMZ), combination therapy with vincristine (VCR), lomustine (CNNU) and procarbazine, which is referred to as PCV therapy. The review includes the most important and recent information of chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of gliomas i.e.: temozolomide, lomustine, procarbazine, vincristine and bevacizumab. The review contains information about the mechanisms of action, current scientific studies on combination therap, and potential adverse effects of the described drugs. Summary The latest results of drug interaction studies confirm the need for further research into combination therapy regimens using both newl-discovered therapeutics and combinations of already known drugs.

Keywords

• glioma
• temozolomide
• procarbazine
• lomustine
• vincristine
• bevacizumab