Role of gemcitabine as a radiosensitizer in glioblastoma multiforme treatment

Treatment for glioblastoma multiforme comprises of surgical resection of the tumour followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Temozolomide is the routinely used radiosensitizer during radiotherapy and chemotherapy cycles and has shown good results. An alternative to temozolomide is gemcitabine, which is still under evaluation for use as a potential radiosensitizer. We review the current evidence for the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine as an alternative to temozolomide in GBM treatment including those cases of GBM that do not respond to standard post-operative temozolomide therapy.