Blood Tests Aim to Predict Glioblastoma Response and Survival

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat due to its high recurrence rate following standard surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. However, research led by Chibawanye I. Ene, MD, at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, offers a promising shift toward personalized immunotherapy using the oncolytic virus Delta-24-RGD. This engineered adenovirus selectively infects and destroys tumor cells while triggering a "bystander effect," where the immune system is alerted to attack the surrounding cancer.

Read the full interview with Dr Ene.

A recent study published in Clinical Cancer Research analyzed results from the TARGET trial, which combined the virus with interferon gamma (IFN-γ) to boost immune activity. The study discovered that patients who received the combination therapy lived the longest. By utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing and antiviral antibody testing on blood samples, researchers identified two specific biomarkers that correlate with long-term survival: a subtype of activated CD8-positive natural killer T cells and a robust antiviral antibody response to the Delta-24 virus.

The identification of these markers is a significant breakthrough because they are found in the blood rather than requiring a high-risk brain biopsy. Dr. Ene emphasizes that these systemic indicators appear much earlier than changes visible on an MRI. This allows clinicians to identify "responders" who might benefit from additional doses of the virus and "non-responders" who should be pivoted to alternative therapies.

The future of GBM care is moving toward this personalized approach, supported by evolving delivery methods like intraarterial infusion. For community oncologists, the study underscores the importance of looking beyond traditional imaging. By incorporating blood-based monitoring into clinical practice, physicians can better track immunotherapy responses, offering a more nuanced and optimistic outlook for patients facing a previously grim prognosis. The goal is to move away from a one-size-fits-all model toward precision medicine that targets the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.