Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are also a studied target. This family of receptors is part of the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in the initiation of innate immune response by recognizing microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) present on microorganisms. Their activation induces cytokine secretion, opsonization, phagocytosis, activation of the complement system, and proliferation
[68]. Although there is a discrepancy regarding the role of TLRs in tumors, some agonists have been tested for their effects on glioblastoma. The most studied among them are phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing unmethylated cytosine-guanosine motifs (CpG) and targeting TLR9. These immunostimulatory substances are able to induce tumor death and to increase the survival of grafted rats and mice through an effect on the immune system. Indeed, in immunodeficient mice, the effect of ODN is abrogated
[69][70]. CpG-ODNs were also appraised for their effects on humans. In two different phase I clinical trials, it was shown in patients with recurrent GBM that CpG-ODNs are generally well tolerated, except some cases of lymphopenia, mild fever, seizures, and transient neurological worsening. It was also observed that the survival of patients was slightly extended compared to patients treated with temozolomide
[71][72]. However, in a phase II trial, CpG-ODNs injected directly in the brain tumors of patients with recurrent GBM only showed modest activity. The radiological responses were low, but the number of long-term survivors was higher than in other studies. This example shows an important limit in the use of compounds targeting macrophages and the immune system in general: the considerable patient- and tumor-dependent response to the compounds
[73]. Another limitation of these compounds as well as other TLR agonists (e.g., imidazoquinolines) is the absence of specificity, which can be the source of side effects. As a matter of fact, their activity is not only mediated through macrophages, but also through NK cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and T cells
[68][70][74].