Abstract: Malignant glioma is the most frequent primary
brain tumor in adults. Despite advances in surgery and
radiotherapy, tumors will invariably recur with an ultimately
fatal outcome. New chemotherapy agents have
been developed during the past decade and have shown
some promise when used early in the disease course and
concomitant with radiation. Changes in diagnostic tools
and variation in prognostic factors do not allow for
definite comparison between trials, and the results of
conclusive randomized trials are awaited. Characterization
of the tumors by gene expression profiling may allow
in the future selection of patients who are most likely to
benefit from a specific therapeutic intervention. Further,
new treatment targets can be identified. A systematic
and integrated approach in developing new treatment
modalities and translational research is required for
clinically relevant advances in this disease.