A recent international study led by neurosurgeons at the University Health Network in Toronto has unveiled a novel treatment for glioblastoma, a challenging brain cancer. The innovative therapy combines injections of an oncolytic virus, which directly targets and kills cancer cells, with intravenous immunotherapy using an anti-PD-1 antibody. This Phase 1/2 clinical trial indicates that the therapy is safe and effective, with some patients experiencing prolonged survival and tumor responses, including complete remission.
Researchers identified a genetic signature in tumor samples that may help predict patient responses to this treatment. The trial involved 49 patients across North America, revealing that more than half achieved clinical benefit with a median survival of 12.5 months, significantly better than the 6-8 months typically seen with existing therapies. The approach was particularly notable as it entailed direct injection of the virus into the tumor without surgical resection.
The study emphasizes the potential of this dual treatment to enhance anti-tumor immune responses and marks a significant advancement in personalized medicine for glioblastoma. Future randomized trials are planned to further evaluate the therapy’s effectiveness against other treatments.
