Glioma Immunotherapy

A glioma is a tumor that originates in the glial cells of the brain or spinal cord. Glial cells are supportive cells that surround and protect nerve cells. Gliomas are classified based on the type of glial cells they originate in. The types include astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, glioblastomas and ependymomas.

Gliomas can vary widely in terms of aggressiveness. Low-grade gliomas are benign and grow slowly, while high-grade gliomas are cancerous and grow rapidly. The symptoms can include headaches, seizures, neurological deficits and cognitive changes.

Glioma treatment is tailored to the type, grade and location of the tumor. Many patients receive a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.

What does glioma immunotherapy involve?

Glioma immunotherapy is an innovative treatment approach that leverages the power of the body’s own immune system to target and attack cancer cells. Some types involve stimulating the immune system to trigger a more robust response to cancer cells, while others involve introducing man-made immune system proteins into the body.

The types of glioma immunotherapy include:

• CAR T-cell therapy – A type of adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy involves harvesting the patient’s immune cells (T-cells) and genetically re-engineering the cells in a lab. The cells are modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target glioma cells. The modified T-cells are then infused into the patient’s bloodstream.
• Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy – Checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo) can block certain proteins that hinder the body’s immune response, thereby enhancing the natural ability of the immune cells to recognize and destroy glioma cells.
• Cancer vaccines – By introducing specific tumor antigens into the body, a vaccine can stimulate the immune system to seek out and attack glioma cells.
• Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy – A genetically modified virus, which selectively infects and destroys cancer cells, is introduced into the body, targeting the tumor and stimulating an immune response against the cancer.

What are the risks and possible complications of glioma immunotherapy?

Glioma immunotherapy carries several risks and possible complications, including:

• Fatigue – Patients undergoing immunotherapy often feel tired and weak.
• Infection – As the immune system works hard to target and destroy the glioma cells, the body may temporarily become vulnerable to other types of infection.
• Neurotoxicity – An overly robust immune response may affect the central nervous system, causing symptoms that range from mild headaches and confusion to difficulty speaking, difficulty walking and possibly seizures.
• Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) – Infused CAR T-cells may release large quantities of cell-signaling proteins (cytokines), which can cause high fever, low blood pressure and difficulty breathing.

Patients undergoing glioma immunotherapy require careful monitoring and management of these potential side effects by their healthcare team.

What to expect during recovery from glioma immunotherapy

During recovery from glioma immunotherapy, the patient can expect regular follow-up appointments to monitor their response to treatment and manage any side effects with supportive care and medications. In general, recovery will involve gradually resuming normal activities, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and possibly undergoing rehabilitation to manage any cognitive or physical impairments caused by the glioma or its treatment.

How effective is glioma immunotherapy?

Glioma immunotherapy has shown promise, particularly in certain patients with specific types of glioma. However, its effectiveness can vary widely based on factors such as the type of immunotherapy, the patient’s overall health and the molecular characteristics of the glioma.

Immunotherapy is a developing area of medicine. Through extensive research and clinical trials, scientists continue to improve and refine current approaches as well as develop next-generation immunotherapies, offering a new source of hope for some patients.

Benefit from world-class care at Moffitt Cancer Center

If you would like to learn more about glioma immunotherapy, you can request an appointment with a specialist in Moffitt’s high-volume Neuro-Oncology Program by calling 1-888-663-3488 or submitting a new patient registration form online. We do not require referrals.