Disrupted Glutamate Homeostasis As a Target for Glioma Therapy

Overview

Journal Pharmacol Rep

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2024 Sep 11

PMID 39259492

Authors

Mikolaj Bieganski

Monika Szeliga

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Gliomas, malignant brain tumors with a dismal prognosis, alter glutamate homeostasis in the brain, which is advantageous for their growth, survival, and invasion. Alterations in glutamate homeostasis result from its excessive production and release to the extracellular space. High glutamate concentration in the tumor microenvironment destroys healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, thus providing space for glioma cells to expand. Moreover, it confers neuron hyperexcitability, leading to epilepsy, a common symptom in glioma patients. This mini-review briefly describes the biochemistry of glutamate production and transport in gliomas as well as the activation of glutamate receptors. It also summarizes the current pre-clinical and clinical studies identifying pharmacotherapeutics targeting glutamate transporters and receptors emerging as potential therapeutic strategies for glioma.

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