cilengitide + temozolomide

Cilengitide + temozolomide is an investigational combination therapy primarily studied for the treatment of glioblastoma. Cilengitide is a selective inhibitor of integrins αvβ3 and αvβ5, which are cell surface receptors involved in tumor angiogenesis and invasion. By blocking these integrins, cilengitide disrupts tumor blood vessel formation and inhibits cancer cell adhesion and migration. Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent that induces DNA damage in tumor cells by methylating guanine residues, leading to apoptosis. The combination has been evaluated in multiple clinical trials for newly diagnosed glioblastoma—especially in patients with methylated or unmethylated MGMT promoter status—often alongside radiotherapy. While preclinical studies suggested additive or synergistic effects on inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in glioma cells, large phase III trials did not demonstrate a significant survival benefit over standard chemoradiotherapy[1][2][3][4][5].