Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma: promising target in glioblastoma

Panminerva Med. 2018 Sep;60(3):109-116. doi: 10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03462-6.

Abstract

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is the most common and worldwide-spread cancer that begins within the brain. Glioblastomas represent 15% of brain tumors. The most common length of survival following diagnosis is 12 to 14 months with less than 3% to 5% of people surviving longer than five years. Without treatment, survival is typically 3 months. Among all receptors, special attention has been focused on the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in glioblastoma. PPARs are ligand-activated intracellular transcription factors. The PPAR subfamily consists of three subtypes encoded by distinct genes named PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ. PPARγ is the most extensively studied subtype of PPAR. There has been interesting preliminary evidence suggesting that diabetic patients receiving PPARγ agonists, a group of anti-diabetics, thiazolidinedione drugs, have an increased median survival for glioblastoma. In this paper, the recent progresses in understanding the potential mechanism of PPARγ in glioblastoma are summarized.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Glucose / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Mice
  • PPAR gamma / agonists*
  • PPAR gamma / chemistry
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Thiazolidinediones / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Ligands
  • Lipids
  • PPAR gamma
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Transcription Factors
  • 2,4-thiazolidinedione
  • Glucose