The goal of treatment is to stop the growth of the glioblastoma. Conventional treatment for this tumor includes a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Despite the use of these conventional treatments, many glioblastomas continue to grow. For this reason, investigational treatments, such as gene therapy, have been developed that offer new approaches for this malignant brain tumor. The best treatment varies for each patient.
Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumor, and the patient's age and overall health.
Gene therapy is an investigational treatment for glioblastoma multiforme. With gene therapy, cells from a mouse are genetically altered to carry a harmless virus. Because of this sensitivity, the tumor cells, which are actively dividing, are destroyed. Therefore, healthy brain cells, which do not divide, are normally unaffected. Thus, gene therapy should halt the growth of a glioblastoma multiforme.