Viruses in glioblastoma: an update on evidence and clinical trials

Bavani Gunasegaran; Caroline L Ashley; Felix Marsh-Wakefield; Gilles J Guillemin; Benjamin Heng

doi:10.1038/s44276-024-00051-z

Viruses in glioblastoma: an update on evidence and clinical trials

BJC Rep. 2024 Apr 19;2(1):33. doi: 10.1038/s44276-024-00051-z.

Authors

Bavani Gunasegaran¹, Caroline L Ashley^{2

3}, Felix Marsh-Wakefield^{2

3

4}, Gilles J Guillemin⁵, Benjamin Heng⁶

Affiliations

¹ Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
³ School of Medical Sciences Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
⁴ Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
⁵ IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.
⁶ Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, Australia. benjamin.heng@mq.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: Glioblastoma (GB) is a lethal and aggressive brain tumour. While molecular characteristics of GB is studied extensively, the aetiology of GB remains uncertain. The interest in exploring viruses as a potential contributor to the development of GB stems from the notion that viruses are known to play a key role in pathogenesis of other human cancers such as cervical cancer. Nevertheless, the role of viruses in GB remains controversial.

Methods: This review delves into the current body of knowledge surrounding the presence of viruses in GB as well as provide updates on clinical trials examining the potential inclusion of antiviral therapies as part of the standard of care protocol.

Conclusions: The review summarises current evidences and important gaps in our knowledge related to the presence of viruses in GB.

Publication types

Review