Woman’s Inoperable Brain Tumor

Breakthrough in Brain Cancer Treatment

In March 2024, researchers made an exciting discovery that could change cancer treatment, especially for glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer.

Using a new approach to CAR-T therapy—a treatment that trains the immune system to fight cancer—patients showed “dramatic responses within days.”

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How the Therapy Works

CAR-T therapy usually treats blood cancers by modifying a patient’s immune cells in a lab before returning them to fight the disease. In this trial, doctors combined CAR-T therapy with antibodies to treat three glioblastoma patients. One patient’s tumor shrank by 18.5% in two days and 60.7% by day 69.

Another patient’s tumor “regressed rapidly,” and a third saw “near-complete tumour regression” after just one treatment.

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Expert Insights

Dr. Bryan Choi explained, “The CAR-T platform has revolutionized how we think about treating patients with cancer, but solid tumors like glioblastoma have remained challenging.” He added, “Our approach combines two forms of therapy, allowing us to treat glioblastoma in a broader, potentially more effective way.” The study shows promise for using cell therapy beyond blood cancers, offering hope to many patients.

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Looking Ahead

Despite these promising results, the trial was small, and more research is needed. Dr. Elizabeth Gerstner said, “We report a dramatic and rapid response in these three patients. Our work to date shows signs that we are making progress, but there is more to do.” Dr. Marcela Maus added, “These results are exciting, but they are also just the beginning… We haven’t cured patients yet, but that is our audacious goal.”