Recurrent high-grade astrocytomas (including glioblastoma and IDH-mutant grade 3 and 4 astrocytomas) remain one of the toughest challenges in brain cancer treatment. Even after surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with temozolomide, the options available when the disease returns provide only limited benefit, and survival rates are very poor. This makes the search for new therapies urgent.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have revolutionized treatment for many cancers by activating the body’s T cells. But in high-grade astrocytomas, ICIs have not improved survival, whether used alongside standard treatment or combined with drugs like bevacizumab after recurrence.
Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), a minimally invasive surgery that reduces tumor size, may help…