Neuroinflammation as a consequence of GBM treatment
Inflammation and necrosis of healthy brain tissue is one of the main
unwanted effects of radiotherapy used to treat GBM. Studies have found
incidences of radiation-induced necrosis ranging from 2.5% to about
30% of GBM patient cohorts [31-33]. Necrosis can include underlying
inflammation together with occlusive vasculopathy and perivascular
parenchymal changes. Alterations in the integrity of the blood-brain
barrier in inflamed sites leads to immune cell infiltration, fluid
transudation into the interstitial space and brain edema. Infiltrated
immune cells as well as reactive glial cells increase expression of
mediators, amplifying the response [31, 34-36].