Brain cancer, particularly glioblastoma, presents unique challenges due to its location and aggressive nature. Glioblastoma is the deadliest form of brain cancer, with a five-year survival rate of only 6.9%. The cancer's infiltrative growth pattern into normal brain tissue makes complete surgical removal difficult without impacting the patient's quality of life. Additionally, the blood-brain barrier can prevent some therapeutics from reaching the cancer.
Unique Challenges in Treatment
- Sensitive Areas: Tumors located in areas responsible for speech and movement limit the ability to remove the tumor entirely without causing debilitating effects.
- Blood-Brain Barrier: This barrier restricts the entry of substances from the bloodstream into the brain, potentially preventing some therapeutics from reaching the cancer.
Current Standard of Care
The standard treatment for glioblastoma involves maximal, safe surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients also receive monthly chemotherapy with temozolomide and may use the Optune device, which uses alternating electric fields to slow or stop cancer cell division.
Innovative Treatment Approaches
Dr. Reena Thomas and her team at Stanford Medicine are focusing on CAR-T cell therapy, a personalized immunotherapy approach. They are investigating the infusion of CAR-T cells directly into the brain on a monthly basis, showing significant promise for treating glioblastoma and other solid tumors.
Research and Clinical Trials
- Phase-One Clinical Trial: The team has successfully treated patients in a dose escalation, phase-one clinical trial, with some patients regaining neurological function lost during their disease.
- Personalized Therapy: The research aims to personalize cancer therapy by identifying unique cancer subtypes and key targetable genes, complementing immunotherapies with existing treatments.
Future Directions
The team is also exploring biomarkers that predict a patient's response to treatment, aiming to make therapeutic shifts or changes to the treatment plan based on personalized information. This approach represents a significant advancement in the fight against glioblastoma, offering hope for a meaningful, long-term therapeutic response for patients.
