MicroRNA-based chemoresistance in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system in adults. GBM is characterized by violent invasion and poor prognosis. Commonly, there are three main conventional methods to treat GBM, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. GBM patients have a median survival ranging from 12 to 15 months, with all tumors developing, at some point, resistance to chemotherapy. There is recently growing interest in the relationship between microRNAs (miRNAs) and chemotherapy resistance in GBM. This paper aims to explore the molecular mechanism, by which miRNAs participate in the formation of chemotherapy resistance in GBM. Here, we summarize the published data relating miRNA to chemotherapy resistance in GBM. We discuss the relationship between mechanisms that miRNA impact upon and provide insight into potential future studies and clinical therapeutics.