Al's Comment:

  This is an interesting approach that makes a lot of sense. After glioblastoma surgery, we usually wait several weeks for the surgical wound to heal before starting radiation and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, glioblastoma does not wait.

 

GammaTile consists of small absorbable tiles containing radioactive cesium-131 seeds that are placed directly into the tumor cavity at the time of surgery. This allows radiation to begin immediately, targeting residual tumor cells while limiting radiation exposure to the surrounding brain. Patients then go on to receive a shortened course of traditional radiation along with standard chemotherapy.

 

In this 67-patient Phase I study, only 6% of patients experienced rapid tumor regrowth before beginning the next phase of treatment, compared with historical rates reported as 50–70%. That is certainly encouraging.

 

However, this was not a randomized trial, so we cannot yet say that GammaTile improves survival or should become the new standard of care for newly diagnosed GBM. A Phase III randomized trial called BRIDGES is now underway to answer that question.

 

I like the concept. Instead of giving residual glioblastoma cells several weeks to recover and grow after surgery, start attacking them immediately. Now we need the randomized trial to tell us whether that translates into longer survival.

Disclaimer: GT Medical is a proud sponsor of the Musella Foundation!

Novel Radiation Strategy Redefines a New Treatment Paradigm for Glioblastoma