Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent primary brain tumour, with an incidence of 2 per 100,000. The standard clinical treatments do not sufficiently target cell migration and invasion, leading to recurrence after surgical resection and resistance after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Pre-clinical studies are being conducted to construct artificial substrates that can mimic the tumour microenvironment (TME) to prevent GBM cells from migrating along their primary route through blood vessels and white matter tracts. Alongside, targeted therapies using anti-migratory or ‘migrastatic’ drugs are also being developed. This study aimed to review the therapeutic translational strategies emerging from the study of the GBM microenvironment and anti-migratory drugs.

A systematic literature search was carried out using search key terms and synonyms. Full-paper screening was performed based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.

From the systems interrogated, the ‘Nanofibre’ assay is suitable to simulate white matter tracts, while hydrogel-based invasion assays and GBM cerebral organoid (GLICO) mimic the brain extracellular matrix. Inhibitors with anti-migratory activity found in this study are active involving distinct molecular mechanisms and have been tested on cell migration assays.

Overall, we have analysed therapeutic strategies emerging from an artificial GBM TME approach and from the identification of anti-migratory inhibitors. Both carry potential to improve treatment options to prevent tumour dissemination and spread for GBM.