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The Viral Connection to Glioblastoma

  • Neurological Infections (J Lyons, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Infectious Disease Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The high incidence of and mortality from glioblastoma are matched by a lack of effective therapies. Previous research suggests an association between viral infection and glioma formation. In this manuscript, we review the available evidence for this association and the efficacy of treatment strategies targeted against viral infection.

Recent Findings

We find that while a wide array of viruses can drive glioma tumor formation in vitro and in xenograft models, the most convincing association is with the human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Detection of HCMV in glioblastoma resected from living patients suggests it may either drive gliomagenesis, support tumor growth, or reactivate silently in these tumors. However, there is conflicting evidence on its ubiquity and its role in tumor formation. Valganciclovir may extend survival in glioblastoma patients, though adequate data on its efficacy and mechanism of action are lacking. Immunotherapy provides the opportunity to specifically target the virus and possibly, glioblastoma, though there are no large, randomized trials testing its efficacy to date.

Summary

Overall, despite mounting evidence for an association between HCMV and glioblastoma, its role as an oncogenic factor and a therapeutic target remains controversial.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Derek H. Oakley of the Neuropathology Service, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, for fruitful discussions on many of the technical aspects discussed in this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    J. Ricardo McFaline-Figueroa

  2. Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    J. Ricardo McFaline-Figueroa

  3. Harvard Medical School; Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Patrick Y. Wen

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  1. J. Ricardo McFaline-Figueroa
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Correspondence to J. Ricardo McFaline-Figueroa.

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Dr. McFaline-Figueroa and Dr. Wen declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neurological Infections

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McFaline-Figueroa, J.R., Wen, P.Y. The Viral Connection to Glioblastoma. Curr Infect Dis Rep 19, 5 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-017-0563-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-017-0563-z

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