New frontiers for astrocytic tumours

Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common type of primary brain tumour, remains an unsolved clinical problem. A great deal of work has been done in an effort to understand the biology and genetics of glioblastoma multiforme, but clinically effective treatments have remained elusive. It is well known that malignant gliomas are involved in the mechanisms of resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. In this review we evaluated the literature data regarding therapeutic progress for the treatment of astrocytic tumours, focusing our attention on new frontiers for glioblastoma. The research studies obtained in vitro and in vivo models show that the application of hyperthermia using magnetic nanoparticles is safety and could be a promising tool in the treatment of glioblastoma patients. Our efforts are addressed towards new fields of research, for example nanomedicine and the study of the uptake and cytotoxic effects of magnetic nanoparticles. The improving the quality of life of patients by increasing their survival rate is the best result to be pursued, since these tumours are considered as ineradicable.