Latest News

• Upcoming webinar!        

  Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 3rd at 7pm ET for a webinar with Dr. Robert Aiken on: "Clinical trial of a new individualized dendritic cell vaccine for treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma." 

  
  
• New Molecule Blocks Deadliest Brain Cancer at Its Genetic Root        

  In a new study published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers led by Dr. Hui Li at the University of Virginia School of Medicine report a first-in-class small-molecule inhibitor targeting AVIL, an oncogene previously shown to drive glioblastoma growth. Discovered through high-throughput screening, the molecule crosses the blood–brain barrier and suppressed tumor growth in multiple cell and mouse models. AVIL is mostly absent in normal brain tissue, and the molecule did not significantly affect healthy brain cells in preclinical studies, supporting its potential selectivity. While the current molecule form is not yet a finished drug, we're eager to see these researchers finalize chemical optimization of the compound and move into human trials within the next year or two.

  
  
• FDA Approves First-of-Its-Kind Device to Treat Pancreatic Cancer        

  Novocure's Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) technology first earned FDA approval for recurrent glioblastoma in 2011 and for newly diagnosed glioblastoma in 2015 (Optune Gio). While some in the neuro-oncology community have been skeptical of TTF, the technology went on to gain FDA approval for malignant pleural mesothelioma in 2019 and for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in 2024 (Optune Lua).

  This past week, Novocure received FDA approval for TTF for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, used in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (Optune Pax).

  While TTF by itself is not a cure for brain cancer, the steadily expanding list of FDA-approved indications reinforces that this technology has demonstrated meaningful clinical efficacy across multiple solid tumor types. 

  
  
• Incredibly excited: Richard Scolyer hails new US trial for brain cancer        

  The GIANT trial has begun enrolling in the United States to test whether neoadjuvant immunotherapy can improve outcomes for people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). Led by Dr. Mustafa Khasraw at Duke University, GIANT is a Phase 2 trial evaluating the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and relatlimab given before surgery, followed by these agents with standard radiotherapy and temozolomide afterward.

  Unlike most prior GBM immunotherapy studies, this trial focuses on giving immunotherapy early (before and after initial surgery) based on the idea that an intact, treatment-naive tumor might be more responsive to immune stimulation. Interest in the trial has been heightened by high-profile patient advocates and researchers, including world-renowned melanoma expert Professor Richard Scolyer, who has lived well beyond typical expectations after his own GBM (MGMT unmethylated) diagnosis. More info on the trial can be found HERE.