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Key Findings:
* Serial Biopsies are Valuable: A study led by Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute found that repeatedly taking samples of glioblastoma (GBM) tumors during treatment can reveal if the treatment is activating the immune system,even when standard MRI scans don’t show a clear response.
* GBM Treatment Challenges: GBM is an aggressive brain cancer that often returns. It’s tough to monitor how the tumor is actually responding to treatment.
* CAN-3110 Immunotherapy: The study focused on a new immunotherapy called CAN-3110 (an oncolytic virus) and tracked changes in two patients’ tumors over four months.
* Multi-Omics Analysis: researchers used a comprehensive “multi-omics” approach, integrating data from genetics, proteins, metabolites, immune responses, and digital pathology to understand the tumor’s changes.
* Pseudoprogression: The study highlighted that treatment can cause swelling and inflammation that looks like tumor growth on MRI (pseudoprogression), masking a positive immune response.
* Potential for Improved Outcomes: If CAN-3110 can reshape the tumor environment and activate the immune system,it could lead to better results for patients. One patient showed a positive response, while the other’s disease stabilized.
* Future Research: The team is expanding the study to include 12 more patients and plans to use this approach for other immunotherapy trials.
In essence,the study advocates for a shift in how GBM treatments are monitored - moving beyond relying solely on MRI scans and incorporating frequent tumor biopsies to gain a more accurate understanding of the treatment’s impact.
