Journal of Spine & NeurosurgeryISSN: 2325-9701

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Review Article, J Spine Neurosurg Vol: 4 Issue: 3

Immunological Microenvironment of Malignant Glioma: The Impact of Current Knowledge on Future Diagnosis and Treatment

Hazem Akil1-3, Kevin Phan1,2, Meydene Ong1,2 and Prashanth J Rao1,2*
1NeuroSpine Surgery Research Group (NSURG), Sydney, Australia
2Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
3Queensland Institute for Medical Research (QIMR)
Corresponding author : Prashanth J Rao
Neurospine Clinic, Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
Tel: +61 0296504766; Fax: +61 029650 4943
E-mail: prashanthdr@gmail.com
Received: April 22, 2015 Accepted: July 14, 2015 Published: July 20, 2015
Citation: Akil H, Phan K, Ong M, Rao PJ (2015) Immunological Microenvironment of Malignant Glioma: The Impact of Current Knowledge on Future Diagnosis and Treatment. J Spine Neurosurg 4:3. doi:10.4172/2325-9701.1000187

Abstract

Despite advances in our knowledge of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), there have been limited improvements in achieving median survival over the past decades. There is a need to explore new approaches to diagnosis and management of malignant glioma, particularly based on the increasing knowledge regarding the molecular and immune microenvironment of gliomas. Application of current discoveries in tumor immunology can be very helpful in accurately assessing the efficacy of glioma treatment (whether it is conventional or immunologically based treatment). Molecular characterization of malignant glioma provides important prognostic information and allows us to select groups of patients for optimal treatment strategy. The advances in tumor molecular environment have been very promising. However, obstacles towards their application remain. It can also help developing more practical and easier alternatives to molecular characterization of glioma to predict prognosis, as immune cells are easier to identify and quantify. This review summarizes the recent advances in immunological approaches in tumors’ diagnosis and treatment and their relevance to current and future advances in glioma management.

Keywords: Glioma; Glioblastoma multiforme; Immunotherapy; Tumor

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