Genomic Testing: Transforming Glioblastoma Therapy

While recent innovations like targeted therapies have revolutionized care for many other cancer types, the standard of care for glioblastoma has changed little in the past two decades. Currently, treatment consists of surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Yet, with a median survival time of just over a year after diagnosis, new and more effective treatments are urgently needed for patients battling glioblastoma, and personalized medicine may hold the key.  

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of cancer that arises in the brain. One aspect of this disease that makes it so difficult to treat is that glioblastoma is not the same for every patient. Each person’s tumor is unique, with different genetic and molecular alterations. This variation, called "heterogeneity," makes it difficult to find one single treatment that works for everyone. 

That’s why personalized medicine is so critical. Using this approach, doctors select treatments for each patient based on the unique characteristics of their tumor. They look for specific genomic alterations to identify drugs that may be effective. Genomic testing, a crucial step in personalizing therapy for glioblastoma—and finding the right treatment for the right patient—makes this possible. 

What is Genomic Testing for Glioblastoma? 

Genomic testing is a powerful tool for analyzing the DNA of a tumor to identify genetic alterations, or mutations. This information can guide diagnosis of glioblastoma, as well as prognosis and treatment planning.

When cancer cells form, they acquire a series of DNA changes that enable them to grow uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissue.  These include alterations and mutations in the DNA sequence of genes that cause glioblastoma to develop and grow. Genomic testing aims to identify the key changes driving tumor growth—and can be used to improve glioblastoma diagnosis and treatment.

 First, surgeons obtain a tissue sample during a biopsy or resection of the glioblastoma tumor. Then, the sample is analyzed with advanced laboratory techniques like DNA sequencing. 

These tests reveal which specific genes have been altered and how they have been altered. Doctors can use this information to predict glioblastoma behavior and develop personalized treatment plans that are more likely to be effective. 

 How Genomic Testing Guides Glioblastoma Treatment 

In recent decades, it has become increasingly clear that a one-size-fits-all model for glioblastoma treatment may not provide the best patient outcomes. This is because glioblastoma has significant variations at the genetic and molecular level.  

Genomic testing identifies the key changes in a tumor’s DNA that influence its growth and response to therapies. By uncovering these genomic alterations, or molecular markers, genomic testing helps doctors understand which treatments are most likely to be effective for a particular patient. This opens the door to precise, personalized treatment plans, which have the potential to revolutionize glioblastoma therapy, extending survival and improving quality of life for every glioblastoma patient. 

 The Power of Personalized Medicine 

Genomic testing enables doctors to choose treatments that are more likely to work based on the unique features of each patient’s tumor. This personalized approach can lead to more effective treatment options for patients, and with fewer side effects. Genomic testing represents a promising step forward in glioblastoma therapy. By revealing each tumor's unique genetic and molecular landscape, it allows doctors to develop personalized treatment plans that are more likely to be effective. 

Research in this field is advancing rapidly, with new biomarkers and targeted therapies emerging every year. As these discoveries continue to expand the arsenal of treatment options, genomic testing will remain at the forefront, offering the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients battling glioblastoma.  

As we launch our Genomic Testing & Research Laboratory, our goal is to ensure that every glioblastoma patient gets genomic testing for his to her glioblastoma. No two glioblastomas are the same.  Through genomic testing, we can unlock personalized treatment options that work for every patient, so that each patient has access to the best treatments for their glioblastoma tumor.  Cutting-edge molecular and genomic testing offered at the Glioblastoma Foundation Genomic Testing & Research Laboratory will allow us to match patients to the treatments most likely to be effective for their glioblastoma tumor. By knowing your glioblastoma and getting genomic testing, every patient can have the information to help guide their treatment, with the best hope for improved survival and quality of life. 

If you would like to learn more about our cutting-edge genomic tests for Glioblastoma, either for yourself or for a loved one, complete the form below and we will be in touch to guide you through the process.