It smells really odd!
Four British fathers, all aged 57, shared a concerning experience—one noted a “strange sweet caramel smell” before receiving a stage 4 glioblastoma diagnosis.
Antonio, the 27-year-old son of Costa Fantas, reflected, “We didn’t really think about it at the time. I mean, we certainly had no idea it was linked to something so serious.”
Before 72-year-old Michael Bolton, a Grammy-winning artist, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2023, he faced confusion, balance issues, nausea, and severe headaches.
The tumors develop when supporting brain cells grow unchecked, making this type of cancer aggressive and often fatal. Most people typically live about 14 to 16 months post-diagnosis.
Dr. Joseph Georges, a neurosurgeon from Phoenix, explained, “Glioblastoma is tricky because of how invasive it is. Microscopic cancer cells can spread deep into neighboring brain tissue, which makes complete surgical removal impossible.”
He also pointed out five early warning signs of glioblastoma and discussed how specialized cell therapies could help patients.
Risk Factors for Glioblastoma
Each year, about 14,500 new glioblastoma cases emerge in the US.
The average diagnosis age is around 64, with the disease typically affecting adults between 45 and 70.
Ionizing radiation treatment for other cancers and certain genetic disorders, like Turcot or Lynch syndrome, can elevate glioblastoma risk. Still, in many instances, it appears to arise spontaneously without any identifiable risk factors, according to Georges, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary based on where the tumor is located in the skull. They may include headaches, confusion, seizures, and speech difficulties or weakness, particularly on one side of the body.
In Bolton’s situation, his daughters observed unusual behavior during a family bowling outing in fall 2023.
He was bowling and suddenly fell out of his chair—he was diagnosed with glioblastoma just weeks later.
Fantas’ tumor seems to have developed in the temporal lobe, which is crucial for processing smells.
Diagnosis Approach
Tumors can be detected through CT scans or MRIs, with a tissue biopsy confirming the diagnosis.
Georges noted that several factors could influence how long someone lives with glioblastoma, including the tumor’s molecular characteristics and any mutations present.
Treatment Options
Brain tumors that spread from other body parts generally form distinct masses and can be surgically removed more easily than glioblastomas, which are notoriously difficult to treat due to their diffuse growth patterns, genetic complexity, and resistance to conventional therapies.
“Complete removal isn’t typically possible because of tumor invasiveness,” Georges stated.
Post-surgery, radiotherapy may be employed to reduce leftover tumor cells, while chemotherapy can enhance the efficacy of the radiation.
Despite this comprehensive approach, Georges acknowledged that glioblastoma continues to have a poor prognosis due to its aggressive nature and treatment resistance.
How Does Doc1021 Help?
Georges has noticed improved outcomes with more personalized treatments. He’s leading a phase 1 clinical trial focusing on Doc1021, which utilizes unique immune cells, specifically dendritic cells, from patients.
These cells are exposed to specific tumor antigens outside the body and then multiplied and reintroduced, aiding the immune system in targeting the cancer.
This method relies on the patient’s immune cells without needing genetic modification, offering a tailored approach to the complexities of glioblastoma.
The FDA has fast-tracked Doc1021 for treating glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer, developed by Diaconos Oncology.
Some participants in the trial have experienced 24 to 36 months of survival. Early results show an 88% overall survival rate after 12 months, which is notably better than the typical 60% with standard treatments, Georges said.
Pamela Goldberger, a 65-year-old New Jersey woman, underwent extensive treatment as part of the Doc1021 trial and is now back to playing tennis regularly, enjoying life more than ever two and a half years after her diagnosis.
Currently, phase 2 clinical trials are ongoing across 20 sites in the US.
