Marko says when glioblastoma, an extremely malignant form of brain tumor, recurs in patients, the treatment options are often minimal, as surgery and radiation are not usually a possibility.
“In this study, patients with recurrent glioblastoma will receive standard therapy, including surgery if the tumor can be removed, and for the chemotherapy portion of their treatment, participants will be randomized between treatments chosen by the physician—standard cancer treatments—or the personally-selected, chemosensitivity drug. The goal is to see if this personalized therapy is more effective than standard of care.
“The idea is similar to when we test for bacterial sensitivity against antibiotics, in case of a bacterial infection. The test, in this case, uses sample specimens obtained following surgery for the treatment of brain cancer.”
Marko says that participants will be assessed by either brain MRI with contrast or CT scans at two to three month intervals after therapies are administered.
“The hope is that this study will lead to more personalized, targeted treatment for patients with a very serious cancer,” he says.
This study is being funded by ChemoID. Marko cites no conflict of interest.
*Photo credit: Colleen Kelley / University of Cincinnati, Communication Services