Latest News

• MAGIC-G1 Study Provides Updated Findings With MTX110 in Recurrent Glioblastoma        

  The phase 1 MAGIC-G1 trial is investigating delivery of MTX110, a new formulation of panobinostat (drug approved to treat multiple myeloma), directly to the tumor site via catheter in recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). Of the first 4 patients treated, two have died (one at 12 and one at 13 months after treatment). The third patient had 6 months progression-free survival (PFS) and is at 13 months overall survival (OS) so far. The fourth patient has not yet had progression and is at 12 months PFS and OS.
  
  While this is a very small, early-stage study, the outcomes so far compare favorably to historic survival rates for recurrent GBM, and the drug appears to have a manageable safety profile. We'll be keeping an eye on this one.

  
  
• MRI Provides Early Warning System for Glioblastoma Growth        

  This University of Miami study used daily non-contrast MRIs with a ViewRay MRI-linear accelerator (MR-linac) to deliver radiation therapy to glioblastoma (GBM) patients. The results suggest this technique can be used for adaptive radiotherapy, where radiation oncologists can rapidly modify treatment plans based on observed tumor changes or surgical cavity shrinkage. While this study used non-contrast MRIs, this method could also be used to guide decisions on when a mid-radiation contrast MRI might be warranted for treatment adjustments. Only a few medical centers across the country offer this radiation approach, but we hope to see broader adoption and availability in coming years.     

  
  
• Radiopharmaceutical therapy shows favorable results for people with tough-to-treat meningioma brain tumors, Mayo Clinic study finds        

  This was a phase 2 study of lutetium-177 (177Lu) dotatate in patients with surgery- and radiation-refractory meningioma. 177Lu-dotatate is a targeted treatment that uses a radioactive compound to deliver radiation directly to tumor cells.

  The single-arm trial enrolled 20 patients with WHO grade 2/3 meningiomas who had measurable disease with at least 15% tumor growth over 6 months and a Krenning score ≥ 2. The study met its primary endpoint; the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 77.8% was significantly greater than the 26% historical benchmark. Overall median PFS was 11.5 months, and the 2-year PFS rate was 26.7%. The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 88.9%, and the 2-year OS rate was 63.8%. Median OS was 27.8 months.

  The treatment was well tolerated, with no grade 4 or 5 adverse events attributed to the treatment. The most common grade 3 hematologic adverse event was low lymphocyte count.
  
  There is currently no standard of care established for surgery- and radiation-refractory meningioma, so this study is a promising step forward. 

  
  
• The EP3-ZNF488 Axis Promotes Self-Renewal of Glioma Stem-like Cells to Induce Resistance to Tumor Treating Fields        

  This is really interesting research on improving the durability of treatment response from Tumor Treating Fields (TTF). This preclinical study found two key factors related to TTFields treatment resistance: a receptor called EP3 and a protein called ZNF488. These proteins work together to help cancer stem cells survive and grow, making them resistant to TTFields. When researchers blocked these proteins, the cancer cells became sensitive to TTFields again, and their ability to grow and form tumors was reduced. Blocking EP3 also helped stop resistance before it started. This discovery suggests that targeting EP3 and ZNF488 could help overcome resistance to TTFields, not only in GBM but potentially in other cancers as well.

  
  
• Financial toxicity in patients with glioblastoma        

  This study looked at financial toxicity (FT) in glioblastoma patients who underwent craniotomy from 2020 to 2022 at a single center. Of the 74 patients studied, nearly half experienced FT, with an average medical ‘bad debt’ of $7,476. FT was more common in younger patients, those with longer hospital stays, and those who had subtotal rather than total tumor resections. This is a heartbreaking problem, and it’s why the Musella Foundation started our copayment assistance program.  

  
  
• Recent advances in Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy for glioblastoma        

  This is a great review highlighting the mechanisms of action and expanding applications of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy, as well as promising ongoing research exploring the use of TTFields combined with immunotherapy and radiotherapy.