Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive cancers currently known to exist. A recent study provides a fresh way to improve personalized therapy for glioblastoma patients.
The study’s main objective was to assess bevacizumab’s (BVZ) effectiveness in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). The purpose of this medication is to prevent new blood vessels from growing inside the tumour. However, this therapy does not improve survival in every patient who receives it. Some have questioned its effectiveness, according to Dr. María del Mar Álvarez-Torres of the Universitat Politècnica de València.
The researchers from Clínic de Barcelona, IGTP, UPV, and ICO conducted a retrospective investigation on over 100 patients. According to their research, glioblastoma patients with moderately vascular tumours benefited better from bevacizumab (BVZ). They had a median survival period that was ten months longer after treatment. This implies that initial tumour vascularity could be a key predictor of who would benefit most from bevacizumab if the tumour progresses.
According to María del Mar Álvarez-Torres:
Our study found that the rCBV marker makes it possible to precisely identify patients with moderately vascularized tumors. And who would benefit most from bevacizumab treatment. This improvement in treatment effectiveness offers a more focused approach. It creates opportunities to investigate other options for patients whose tumors do not respond well to the medication. This enhanced methodology facilitates the management of resources and leads to enhanced therapeutic results.
The rCBV, calculated using magnetic resonance images, is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and time-efficient alternative for diagnosing various diseases without additional risks for patients.
María del Mar Álvarez-Torres said:
Our proposal is an efficient and economically viable option to improve treatment selection. Most importantly, it allows the early identification of glioblastoma patients who will benefit most from bevacizumab, facilitating treatment personalization and improving their prospects,”
