Targeting protein kinases for anti-glioma treatment.

The genetic alterations related to many kinases are responsible for the formation of glial tumours. In addition it is the cell kinases that keep the cancerous signalling machinery in motion, thus enabling tumour cell growth, motility and invasion. Kinase inhibitors may have a potential to surpass the classical oncolytic treatment for gliomas. However, overcoming drug resistance mechanisms and limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability are the remaining daunting issues. Latest research explores novel kinase inhibitors, yielding several promising results, including those from CK2 inhibition studies, as well as the possibility of relabelling the inhibitors previously approved for tumours other than glial tumours.