- Brain cancers such as gliomas and glioblastomas are among the most difficult forms of cancer to treat.
- Recent advances in how brain tumors are evaluated and treated are giving new hope to patients and their loved ones.
- Providence caregivers and researchers are at the forefront of this effort, leading the way with clinical trials and the latest personalized treatments informed by genetic testing.
What if the key to fighting aggressive brain tumors lies within the tumor’s own DNA?
For decades, brain cancer has remained one of the most difficult forms of cancer to treat. While survival rates for many other cancers have steadily improved, outcomes for gliomas, the most common type of primary brain tumor, and glioblastomas, the most aggressive type, have seen less progress. But what if doctors could use the genetic makeup of each tumor to guide more precise, personalized care?
At Providence Brain & Spine Institute (PBSI) in Portland, Oregon, neuro-oncologist and clinician scientist Prakash Ambady, MD, and his peers believe this future is already taking shape. Thanks to a new wave of research and advances in how brain tumors are classified and understood, more customized treatment options for patients with gliomas are bringing new hope to patients and caregivers everywhere.
A new era of understanding brain tumors
Historically, the standard of care for glioma patients has included a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. While these treatments remain vital, they don’t account for the unique genetic and molecular differences between each individual’s tumors. Today, that’s changing.
The past five years have seen a significant shift in how neuro-oncologists approach gliomas. This includes a 2021 change by the World Health Organization in tumor classification, moving from a system based mostly on tumor cells’ appearance under a microscope to one that looks at genetic and molecular features. This updated approach provides a clearer picture of how a tumor is likely to behave and respond to treatment.
“At Providence, we now conduct genetic testing on all glioma samples,” explains Dr. Ambady. “That information gives us an incredibly valuable roadmap to help guide a personalized approach for each patient based on the individual’s tumor type and genetic profile.”
Connecting patients to targeted therapies and clinical trials
One promising example of this personalized approach involves a genetic mutation called IDH, found in a subset of glioma patients.
In 2023, Dr. Ambady participated in a pivotal, large, multicenter study demonstrating that a targeted cancer drug, Vorasidenib, a relatively well-tolerated oral medication, could help glioma patients with the IDH mutation live longer and delay the need for more aggressive treatments. Now, when a patient’s molecular testing identifies this mutation, their care team can consider Vorasidenib as a treatment option.
This is just one example of how the latest treatments identified through clinical research, combined with the ability to understand each patient’s glioma, are transforming the field of neuro-oncology.
When a patient’s tumor isn’t responding to existing treatments, PBSI offers access to a robust portfolio of clinical trials. Matching patients to trials based on their tumor profiles allows providers like Dr. Ambady to potentially connect them with the latest experimental treatments and clinical trial opportunities.
You can view PBSI’s list of current neuro-oncology clinical trials here. Or visit the Providence clinical trials search page at research.providence.org to find other clinical trials available through Providence.
Hope on the horizon for brain cancer
The physical and emotional toll of a glioma diagnosis can be life-altering, but the advancements happening today are bringing new possibilities to patients and families. Through precision medicine, targeted therapies, and ongoing clinical research, Providence is enhancing patient care today while laying the groundwork for a new generation of personalized treatments.
To learn more about PBSI’s neuro-oncology services and research initiatives, visit Providence Brain & Spine Institute's website.
