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Sager et al. Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation 2018;5:25 Neuroimmunology
DOI: 10.20517/2347-8659.2018.12 and Neuroinflammation

Review Open Access

A concise review of immunotherapy for glioblastoma

Omer Sager, Ferrat Dincoglan, Selcuk Demiral, Bora Uysal, Hakan Gamsiz, Bahar Dirican,
Murat Beyzadeoglu
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Medical Faculty, Ankara 06018, Turkey.

Correspondence to: Assoc. Prof. Omer Sager, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Gulhane
Medical Faculty, Gn.Tevfik Sağlam Cd. Etlik , Ankara 06018, Turkey. E-mail: omersager@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Sager O, Dincoglan F, Demiral S, Uysal B, Gamsiz H, Dirican B, Beyzadeoglu M. A concise review of
immunotherapy for glioblastoma. Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation 2018;5:25. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-8659.2018.12
Received: 26 Mar 2018 First Decision: 26 Apr 2018 Revised: 31 May 2018 Accepted: 5 Jun 2018 Published: 15 Jun 2018

Science Editor: Athanassios P. Kyritsis Copy Editor: Jun-Yao Li Production Editor: Cai-Hong Wang

Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and aggressive form of primary brain tumors in adults with a universally poor
prognosis despite multimodal management including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Among the novel
therapeutic strategies, immunotherapy deserves particular attention with its potential to evoke biologic response and
harness the host immune system. Considerable success achieved for other tumors has elicited great enthusiasm and
prompted research on immunotherapy for GB. While the central nervous system has traditionally been thought of
as an immune-privileged site, our understanding is being refined with emerging evidence. Several studies have been
conducted and more are under way to establish the role of immunotherapy in management of GB. Immunotherapy of GB
has yet resulted in mixed success with conflicting research findings, emphasizing the need for extensive study before its
integration into routine clinical practice. Although there is a lot of room for improvement, immunotherapy for GB may be
feasible and serve as a viable management strategy broadening and strengthening the therapeutic armamentarium to
combat this deadly disease. Herein, we present a concise review of immunotherapy for GB.

Keywords: Glioblastoma, immunotherapy, glioma, vaccine, passive immunotherapy, active immunotherapy, cytokine
therapy, central nervous system

INTRODUCTION
Glioblastoma (GB) constitutes the most common and aggressive form of primary brain tumors in
adults . Management of newly diagnosed GB includes maximal tumor resection followed by adjuvant
[1]
chemoradiotherapy. The landmark study by European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer
(EORTC)/National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC-CTG) in 2005 has reported

© The Author(s) 2018. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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