**Mechanisms of Glioma Cell Invasion**

Scott G. Turner, Maleeha Ahmad and Steven A. Toms

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/63126

#### **Abstract**

[102] Glas M, Happold C, Rieger J, Wiewrodt D, Bähr O, Steinbach JP, Wick W, Kortmann RD, Reifenberger G, Weller M, Herrlinger U: Long-term survival of GBM patients treated with radiotherapy and lomustine plus temozolomide. J Clin Oncol.

2009;27:1257–1261. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2008.19.2195

108 Neurooncology - Newer Developments

Malignant gliomas are the most aggressive primary brain tumors. Although current treatment includes surgery and chemo/radiation therapy, life expectancy remains on the order of 2 years. One of the features, which make these tumors incurable, is their infiltration into normal brain tissue. This process is incompletely understood at a molecular level and appropriate targets need to be developed. This review discusses (1) the unique struc‐ ture of the neural extracellular matrix (ECM), (2) the basis of the proliferation to migration transition that initiates the infiltrative process, (3) the remodeling of the ECM by degradation and synthesis of new components, and (4) trophic factors that act as chemoattractants and chemorepellents for migrating cells. Finally we briefly discuss the challenges facing the study of this complex process and future directions in attacking this important problem in neuro-oncology.

**Keywords:** glioma, migration, invasion, extracellular matrix, protease, signaling
