Glioblastoma gene therapy and related delivery systems

Gene therapy of glioblastoma multiforme is based on direct introduction of gene(s) to achieve anti-tumor effects and four types of it are examined: (A) suicide gene therapy; (B) immunomodulatory gene therapy; (C) tumor-suppressor gene therapy and (D) oncolytic gene therapy. Now, viral and nonviral vectors, tumor-tropic cell carriers with therapeutic gene(s) expression ability, and “intelligent” carriers, increase delivery, specificity, and toxicity against GBM. In this review, by using dozens of valid and updated academic papers and personal experiences of gene therapy methods and delivery systems relevant in glioblastoma, and its prospects are discussed. Also interesting prospective clinical trials of gene therapy for glioblastoma are mentioned.