I attended the 27th annual meeting and education day held by SNO, the Society for Neuro-Oncology, on November 16-20, 2022 in Tampa Bay, Florida. The meeting drew a record number of abstract submissions, attendees and countries represented.

We heard from 13 keynote speakers, 169 invited speakers, 175 oral abstracts and over 900 poster presenters. The meeting was attended by close to 3,000 researchers and scientist dedicated to the treatment and cure of central nervous system (CNS) tumors – those formed in the brain and/or spinal cord.

The meeting was buzzing with hope and excitement around new advances in treating GBM. Vaccines, vaccines and vaccines were all the rage.

The most notable was the results from Northwestern Therapeutics , DCVax phase 3 trial, which showed that both median survival and “long tail” of extended survival were increased in newly diagnosed and progression stages of GBM. The results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA.

Other notable trials were SurVaxM in which a large randomization is in progress and EO2401, the Rosalie trial.

There was the release of promising phase 2 data for a novel immunotherapy SL-701 in adults with recurrent GBM. Based on this data further clinical trial are being planned.

There was also presentations and posters on caregiver research and highlighting the need to do more research as the few trial that have been completed have shown longer survival rate when caregivers have a mastery of it. Caregivers who are educated and supported can also increase the quality of life for those living with GBM.

It left me feeling hopeful and excited about the possibility of turning GBM from terminal to treatable.