With Standard Care, Median Length of Survival is 15 Months
After Diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme – and Only 10 Percent Survive More
Than 5 Years
Eight of 16 patients participating in a study of an
experimental immune system therapy directed against the most aggressive
malignant brain tumors – glioblastoma multiforme – survived longer than five
years after diagnosis, according to Cedars-Sinai researchers, who presented
findings Nov. 23 at the Fourth Quadrennial Meeting of the World Federation of
Neuro-Oncology.
Seven of the 16 participants still are living, with length
of survival ranging from 60.7 to 82.7 months after diagnosis. Six of the
patients also were "progression free" for more than five years,
meaning the tumors did not return or require more treatment during that time.
Four participants still remain free of disease with good quality of life at
lengths ranging from 65.1 to 82.7 months following diagnosis. One patient who
remained free of brain cancer for five years died of leukemia.