Cancer Patient Guide
Brain Cancer & GBM: Expert Insights for Treatment Decisions
Curated from expert webinars (part of 150+ across all cancer types) hosted by Cancer Patient Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, featuring insights from Dr. Wayne Carter, Al Musella, and Dr. Saskia Biskup. Covers temozolomide, Optune, IDH and MGMT molecular markers, clinical trials, and emerging immunotherapy approaches.
Expert Panel
Oncologists and researchers who contributed insights through Cancer Patient Lab webinars
Wayne Carter, DVM, PhD
Brain cancer research and novel treatment approaches
Al Musella
Brain tumor patient advocacy and clinical trial navigation
Saskia Biskup, MD, PhD
Genomic profiling and precision medicine for brain tumors
Tony Letai, MD, PhD
Functional precision medicine — testing drugs on cancer cells
Lisa Butterfield
Cancer vaccines and immunotherapy
Selin Kurnaz
Finding the right cancer clinical trial
Massive Bio
Treatment Topics
Key treatment areas covered across our brain cancer webinar series
Standard of Care: Surgery, Radiation & Temozolomide
The Stupp protocol — maximal safe resection followed by concurrent radiation and temozolomide, then adjuvant temozolomide — remains the standard of care for newly diagnosed glioblastoma. MGMT promoter methylation status is the strongest predictor of temozolomide benefit. Extent of surgical resection significantly impacts outcomes, making an experienced neurosurgical center critical.
Optune: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)
Optune delivers low-intensity, intermediate-frequency alternating electric fields to disrupt cancer cell division. Added to maintenance temozolomide, it improved median survival by ~5 months in the EF-14 trial. The device requires wearing arrays on the shaved scalp for at least 18 hours daily. Compliance correlates with benefit. Newer generation devices and combinations with other treatments are being studied.
Clinical Trials & Emerging Therapies
Brain cancer — particularly GBM — has seen limited drug approvals, making clinical trials especially important. Emerging approaches include cancer vaccines (personalized neoantigen vaccines, dendritic cell vaccines), checkpoint inhibitors (especially for hypermutated tumors), oncolytic viruses, convection-enhanced delivery, and novel targeted therapies. Al Musella maintains one of the most comprehensive brain tumor clinical trial databases.
Molecular Markers: IDH, MGMT & Beyond
The 2021 WHO classification of brain tumors now requires molecular markers alongside histology. IDH mutations define a biologically distinct (and better-prognosis) subset of gliomas, with vorasidenib recently approved for IDH-mutant low-grade gliomas. MGMT methylation predicts temozolomide response. 1p/19q codeletion identifies oligodendrogliomas. Dr. Saskia Biskup discusses comprehensive genomic profiling for brain tumors.
Supportive Care & Quality of Life
Brain cancer treatment often involves managing seizures, cerebral edema (with dexamethasone), cognitive changes, and fatigue. Anti-seizure medications, physical and occupational therapy, and neuropsychological support are integral parts of care. Early palliative care consultation improves quality of life. Self-care strategies and caregiver support are especially important given the cognitive effects of brain tumors.
Common Questions from Brain Cancer Patients
Answered by Navis AI, informed by expert webinars and medical guidelines
What is the standard treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM)?
How does Optune (tumor treating fields) work for brain cancer?
What does MGMT methylation status mean for my treatment?
What clinical trials are available for glioblastoma?
What is the role of immunotherapy in brain cancer?
Should I get molecular profiling for my brain tumor?
What are IDH mutations and how do they affect prognosis?
How do I manage side effects of temozolomide?
Testing Services for Brain Cancer
Genomic testing, liquid biopsy, and molecular profiling services relevant to brain cancer
Brain Cancer Webinars
From Cancer Patient Lab — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Functional Precision Medicine: Testing Drugs on Your Cancer Cells
Tony Letai, MD, PhD
How to Find the Right Cancer Clinical Trial
Selin Kurnaz, Massive Bio
Cancer Vaccines: How They Work and Who Can Benefit
Lisa Butterfield
How AI Tools Are Changing Cancer Patient-Doctor Conversations
Ezra Cohen, MD
Liquid Biopsy for Cancer: Monitoring Treatment Response
Lauren Leiman, Jenn Dickey
Self-Care During Cancer Treatment
Thanos Kosmidis
How to Access Cancer Treatments: Insurance, Clinical Trials
Chris Beardmore
Paying for Cancer Treatments
Nancy Novack, Mike Yancey, Kevin Fordney
TIL Therapy: Using Your Own Immune Cells to Fight Cancer
Matthew Dons
Gut Microbiome and Cancer
Michael Liss, MD, PhD
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This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Content is curated from expert webinars hosted by Cancer Patient Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Always consult your oncologist for treatment decisions. Meet our team →