What Makes Neuro-Oncology Experts Hopeful About the Future of Glioma Treatment?

Both immense challenges and remarkable progress mark the treatment and management of glioma patients.

At SNO 2024, SurvivorNet Connect was able to sit down with a panel of neuro-oncology experts to learn what sort of progress makes them excited and what the future may look like when it comes to glioma treatment.

Transformative Therapies & Expanding Treatment Options

A significant source of optimism is the recent development of therapies targeting molecular mutations in gliomas. Dr. Alexandra Miller, a neuro-oncologist at NYU Langone Health, emphasized the importance of IDH inhibitors like vorasidenib, explaining that these targeted therapies represent a shift in how gliomas are managed.

“We are learning how to combine and sequence therapies to optimize outcomes, especially for those progressing on existing treatments,” Dr. Miller explains.

Dr. Erin Dunbar, a neuro-oncologist at Piedmont Healthcare, echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that vorasidenib’s success will act as a catalyst for increased investment in glioma research. “This is the first drug in 20-plus years for gliomas,” she notes. “It’s exciting to think about what’s next, especially for patients with high-grade gliomas where progress has been slower.”

Innovative Clinical Trials

Clinical trials continue to be a beacon of hope in glioma care. Dr. Katie Peters, a neuro-oncologist at Duke Health, highlights the importance of designing studies that prioritize patient needs and reflect their preferences. “When creating clinical trials, we have to think about what patients and their care partners want. Their priorities should guide how we ask research questions,” she said.

This patient-centered approach is complemented by improvements and modifications in trial design. Dr. Dunbar discussed the concept of randomized discontinuation trials and other innovative methods that maximize limited resources like tissue and funding. These adaptations make trials more efficient and accessible to glioma patients while maintaining high-quality research standards.

Breaking Down Silos

Collaboration between researchers, institutions, and industry partners has never been stronger. Dr. Dunbar reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic served as a turning point for breaking down silos. 

“Suddenly, not-for-profits, governments, and institutions were working together in ways we hadn’t seen before.” This spirit of cooperation has carried over into glioma research, where partnerships are accelerating the pace of discovery, she says. 

Dr. Miller emphasizes the importance of pooling real-world data. “By sharing experiences and outcomes from using therapies like vorasidenib, we can answer critical questions that trials alone can’t address.”

Empowering the Next Generation

The next wave of glioma care will depend on cultivating a new generation of motivated, compassionate providers. Dr. Peters underscored the importance of mentorship and education, encouraging trainees to view their work through the lens of patient-centered care. “I always tell trainees to think about their studies from the patient’s perspective. What do patients want, and how can we address that?”

Dr. Ganesh Rao, a neurosurgeon at Baylor College of Medicine, highlighted the unique satisfaction that comes from making a meaningful impact in patients’ lives. “Helping a young patient with a low-grade glioma live decades without needing additional treatment reminds us why we do this work.”

Balancing Progress with Compassion

Advances in glioma care are not just about new therapies or technologies; they’re also about fostering a compassionate, sustainable healthcare environment. Dr. Dunbar emphasized the importance of self-care for providers, stating, “What we do is tough and tender work. We need to be kind to ourselves and each other to sustain this effort over a professional career.”