Glioblastoma Research

Understanding Glioblastoma: What You Need to Know 

Receiving a diagnosis of glioblastoma (GB) can feel overwhelming. As one of the most aggressive and malignant types of brain cancer, glioblastoma often presents unique challenges for patients and their loved ones. It’s the most common primary brain tumor, and while it is associated with a poor prognosis, advancements in research are offering hope for the future. 

Current Treatment Options 

Treatment for glioblastoma typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. These approaches aim to remove or reduce the tumor and slow its growth. However, even with aggressive treatment, the survival rate remains low, with most patients living 12–15 months after diagnosis. 

At the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, we understand how difficult this prognosis can be to hear. That’s why our scientists are working tirelessly to better understand this devastating disease and develop new therapies that could improve outcomes for patients like you or your loved one. 

How We’re Advancing Research 

Our work focuses on uncovering the underlying biology of glioblastoma—why it occurs, how it progresses, and which molecular pathways can be targeted to stop it. Using cutting-edge techniques like spheroids (clusters of cells grown in the lab) and organoids (also called "mini-organs" grown in the lab), we’re recreating the complexity of glioblastoma to study its behavior in real-time. This allows us to test potential treatments in a highly detailed and controlled environment, accelerating our understanding of this challenging disease. 

We’re also investigating the use of repurposed drugs—medications originally designed for other conditions—to explore their potential in slowing tumor growth, enhancing current therapies, and improving survival rates. By identifying new uses for existing medications, we aim to bring affordable, accessible, and less invasive treatment options to patients sooner.