RESEARCH NEWS FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 2026
As a reminder of this week’s video conference, Genetic Predispositions in Brain Tumors, this is the thirty-fifth article in the project, which aims to periodically (every two months) collect research news on possible treatments for glioblastoma multiforme. Below, we list the news items we consider most significant that have emerged in the last two months. As with previous articles in the series, each news item will be preceded by the original title with a link to the source and followed by a brief commentary. The criteria for selecting news items is always to generally include only news related to clinical-stage research, unless the potential of research for the treatment of glioblastoma is truly significant.
‘Incredibly excited’: Richard Scolyer hails new US trial for brain cancer
The GIANT trial (phase 2), led by Dr. Mustafa Khasraw of Duke University, has begun enrollment in the United States to test an innovative approach in newly diagnosed glioblastoma: administration of the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and relatlimab before surgery (neoadjuvant treatment), followed by continuation of the same drugs in combination with radiation therapy and standard temozolomide. The underlying idea is that the tumor, before being exposed to treatments, may respond better to immune system stimulation. Interest in this trial has been amplified by the enthusiasm of Professor Richard Scolyer—a renowned Australian oncologist, melanoma expert and himself a patient with unmethylated MGMT GBM—who has expressed great optimism for this approach.
IN8bio Presents Updated Phase I/II Data Demonstrating Significant and Durable Survival Improvements in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
IN8bio has released updated data from its Phase I/II trial of gamma-delta T-cell therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Patients treated with repeated doses showed a median progression-free survival of 13 months—nearly double that of standard of care—and a median overall survival not yet reached but greater than 17 months. Several patients remain progression-free beyond two years. The therapy was well tolerated, with no serious treatment-related toxicities. These are significant results that justify continued clinical development of this cell therapy.
Glioblastoma Clinical Trial: Focused Ultrasound Blood-Brain Barrier Opening is Safe, Provides Possible Survival Benefit
Results from a multicenter phase 1/2 trial of blood-brain barrier opening using MRI-guided microbubble focused ultrasound (MB-FUS), in combination with standard temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma, were recently published. Of 34 patients enrolled, median progression-free survival was 13.5 months and median overall survival was 31.3 months, significantly longer than a matched external control group. Side effects related to focused ultrasound were predominantly mild. These preliminary results provide strong support for the initiation of larger, randomized trials.
ImmunityBio Reports Median Overall Survival Not Yet Reached and Lymphopenia Reversed in Recurrent Glioblastoma Patients Receiving ANKTIVA Plus CAR-NK, Chemo-Free Therapy
ImmunityBio’s Phase 2 QUILT-3.078 trial is testing a chemotherapy-free combination for recurrent glioblastoma: Anktiva (an IL-15 agonist) with NK-CAR cells, bevacizumab, and Optune. To date, 19 of the 23 patients treated are still alive, with some having progressed beyond 12 months from relapse, and the median overall survival has not yet been reached. Although patients had low lymphocyte levels at baseline due to previous therapies, the treatment helped restore immune function with manageable side effects. While these are very preliminary results, it is an approach worth pursuing.
Virus-Based Therapy Boosts Anti-Cancer Immune Responses to Brain Cancer
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital have published the results of a clinical trial evaluating the use of an oncolytic virus in glioblastoma. The data show that a single injection of the oncolytic virus induces a persistent T-cell-mediated immune response against GBM cells. Parallel studies conducted at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified biomarkers that can predict which glioblastoma patients will survive longer with this viral-based therapy, opening the way for a more robust treatment strategy. This allows for potential personalized patient selection for future trials.
The LEGATO Trial: Radiotherapy Plus Lomustine vs. Lomustine Alone for Recurrent Glioblastoma
The LEGATO trial, supported by the Horizon Europe program under the legal sponsorship of the EORTC, is currently enrolling at 33 clinical sites in nine European countries. This Phase 3 study evaluates whether the combination of radiotherapy and lomustine is more effective than lomustine alone for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. The goal is to define a new standard of care for this stage of the disease, with minimal eligibility criteria to reflect real-world clinical practice. For information on participating centers: legato-horizon.eu/how-to-get-involved.
GT Medical Technologies Announces First Patients Treated with GammaTile in the BRIDGES Trial for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
GT Medical Technologies has begun enrollment in the BRIDGES trial, a large, randomized study evaluating whether the GammaTile system—a small brachytherapy implant placed in the brain at the time of surgical resection, which delivers radiation therapy immediately instead of waiting the weeks required for standard postoperative external beam radiation therapy—improves survival compared to conventional radiation therapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. GammaTile received FDA authorization in 2018 and has already been in clinical use for several years; this trial aims to demonstrate the survival benefit in a randomized controlled trial.
New Drug Combination Boosts Life Expectancy from Grade 3 Brain Tumors by More Than 45% (STELLAR Trial)
The STELLAR trial tested the combination of eflornithine and lomustine versus lomustine alone in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. In the analysis of the specific subgroup of patients with recurrent grade 3 IDH-mutant astrocytoma, the results were significant: median overall survival of nearly 35 months with the combination compared to 24 months with lomustine alone, and progression-free survival of nearly 16 months compared to 7 months. These results—with a survival increase of more than 45%—have the potential to guide future clinical practice for the treatment of this category of high-grade IDH-mutant brain tumors.
I would say that the first two months of 2026 begin with some encouraging news regarding clinical trials for glioblastoma and high-grade brain tumors. A heartfelt thank you to all those whose support allows us to keep this volunteer organization alive and to develop projects increasingly focused on providing concrete support to patients and their caregivers. The “Speranza e Coraggio” project is now an active resource used by those who have chosen not to face this journey alone: a psychological support service designed to accompany patients and their families through the most difficult times. If you are experiencing glioblastoma directly or indirectly, we invite you to use this completely free service: asking for help is an act of strength. This concludes this issue dedicated to research news.
Our deepest sympathies go to all those fighting glioblastoma, and to their loved ones.
