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Updated: Oct 18, 2025
Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma
Published on: October 27, 2014
Is there a role for neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 therapies in glioma?
Lu Sun1, Thomas J Lai, Robert M Prins
1Departments of Neurosurgery and Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
In this review, we summarized recent findings that highlight the progress for checkpoint blockade immunotherapy in glioblastoma (GBM) patients.
Recent Findings:
We reviewed new data from our group and others that suggest that the timing of when immunotherapy is applied can impact the antitumor immune response and, potentially, the ultimate clinical benefit of patients.
Summary:
The neoadjuvant priming and expansion of exhausted T cells within the GBM microenvironment, followed by the removal of an immune suppressive tumor microenvironment through surgical resection, may lead to enhanced antitumor immune responses that are beneficial clinically. As such, neoadjuvant immunotherapeutic approaches and rational combinations may be helpful scientifically to understand how immunotherapeutic interventions influence the tumor microenvironment, as well benefit the patients.
Insights
Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy shows promise for glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Early immunotherapy application, especially neoadjuvant approaches, may enhance anti-tumor immune responses and clinical benefits.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) remains a challenging brain tumor with limited treatment options.
- Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in checkpoint blockade immunotherapy for glioblastoma.
- To highlight the impact of immunotherapy timing on patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and recent research findings.
- Analysis of data concerning neoadjuvant immunotherapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- The timing of immunotherapy administration significantly influences the anti-tumor immune response.
- Neoadjuvant immunotherapy, combined with surgical resection, may enhance clinical benefits by modulating the tumor microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Neoadjuvant immunotherapeutic approaches hold potential for improving clinical outcomes in glioblastoma.
- Further research into rational combinations of immunotherapies is crucial for understanding their impact on the tumor microenvironment and patient benefit.
