GBM AGILE
What is GBM AGILE?
Glioblastoma Multiforme (also known as GBM) is the deadliest brain cancer and is widely regarded as incurable and universally fatal, killing 95% of patients within five years of diagnosis. NFCR is part of a robust, international coalition working on innovative ways to research the disease: the Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (GCAR).
Led by the best and brightest cancer researchers, GBM AGILE is a revolutionary global collaboration to test and develop new brain cancer treatments. Its personalized approach will allow us to accelerate the discovery of targeted treatments for individual patients.
This global coalition has attracted over 150 participants from more than 40 leading cancer institutions across three continents. It implements a new generation of clinical trials – called “adaptive trials” – which allow patients to be enrolled more quickly, receive treatment(s) based on each patient’s individualized response and does not require years of follow-up to determine whether a new experimental treatment is beneficial. By allowing for multiple new drug combinations and treatments to be used while removing ineffective drugs quickly, this revolutionary approach accelerates research for curing the aggressive form of cancer GBM and will serve as a new clinical research model for combating other cancers as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is GBM AGILE different than other clinical trials?
Efforts to improve patient outcomes is underway by replacing conventional clinical trials with faster, cheaper, more adaptable and more in tune with modern molecular medicine “adaptive trials” like GBM AGILE.
GBM AGILE (Glioblastoma Multiforme Adaptive Global Innovative Learning Environment) is a new generation of adaptive clinical trials that allows patients to be enrolled more quickly, receive treatment(s) based on each patient’s own molecular markers and does not require years of follow-up to determine whether a new experimental treatment is beneficial.
What is the National Foundation for Cancer Research’s role in GBM AGILE?
To take action over one of the world’s deadliest diseases, over 150 researchers from more than 40 leading cancer institutions across four continents have joined forces to find cures for GBM by launching the first-ever global, adaptive clinical trial that will revolutionize how brain cancer treatments are tested and developed.
NFCR is proud to be a strategic partner to GCAR and a founder and major financial supporter of the GBM AGILE initiative, as well as part of the executive steering committee helping to develop and manage the trial protocol.
How do I get on this trial?
GBM AGILE will run trials at multiple locations throughout the world. The protocol is in development, and patient enrollment information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Who is eligible to enroll in this trial?
Eligibility criteria is currently being finalized. More details coming soon.
Why is this trial only focused on GBM?
GBM is the most common and the most lethal form of brain cancer in adults. Widely regarded as incurable and universally fatal, GBM kills 95% of patients within five years of diagnosis, with more than half dying within the first 15 months after diagnosis. Although there have been hundreds of standard clinical trials for GBM, there is currently no cure and survival rates for patients with GBM have not improved in any meaningful way in over 30 years. This is unacceptable. Patients with GBM (and their families) desperately need better treatments and better outcomes now.
Will there be AGILE trials for other cancers?
While adaptive trials are not yet commonplace, Congress and the U.S. FDA are focused on accelerating their development to benefit patients. In fact, experts predict that systems like GBM AGILE will eventually become the standard for all cancer clinical trials. For the AGILE team, a potential next phase of AGILE trials would be applying the trial design learned from GBM to cancers such as liver and stomach cancer.
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Longest Living GBM Cancer Survivor Celebrates 20 Years Cancer-Free
Twenty years ago, Carmen Rice was told to get her affairs in order, she was diagnosed with the deadliest form of brain cancer, glioblastoma. At the time, she was told she had about 6 months to live. In what she believes to be a miracle, in 2024, Carmen celebrated 20-years being cancer free from glioblastoma. Overall, glioblastoma has a five-year survival rate less than 8%. Carmen Rice is considered the longest living glioblastoma (GBM) cancer survivor. What Makes GBM so deadly? GBM is one of the deadly cancers that has seen very few significant updates over the last 20 years. The lack of breakthroughs is not because researchers aren’t trying – they are – but because there is a bottleneck at the clinical trial stage to approve better treatments. How is NFCR Addressing this Deadly Form of Cancer? GBM AGILE is a revolutionary clinical trial platform designed for patients battling the deadliest brain cancer, glioblastoma. The AGILE trial design is a model for drug development to support patients with other rare cancers and diseases. NFCR CEO, Dr. Sujuan Ba is a founding member leading the charge to get GBM AGILE started and NFCR provided early funding that made it all possible. Now, the innovative GBM AGILE trial platform continues to expand and improve outcomes for the most difficult-to-treat cancers, including GBM, Ovarian, and Pancreatic Cancers. Learn more about GBM AGILE here. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest type of brain cancer, accounting for 45% of all primary malignant brain tumors. Hope for the Future of Surviving Other Deadly Cancer The miracle of Carmen’s survival is what NFCR supported scientists are working to secure for every cancer patient. We hope that her story of challenging the odds and survival reminds all patients and supporters there is hope for a better future. “I have found the National Foundation for Cancer Research team to be dedicated and caring, I have been treated as part of their family. I feel privileged to have met them. I know that one day my fine and dedicated family will find a cure for glioblastoma and many other cancers and save the lives of people like me. I am delighted to know that they work on a global scale to find a cure for glioblastoma. They give me hope and inspiration to move forward!” - Carmen Rice To make a gift today in honor of cancer survivors like Carmen, please donate here. Carmen’s recovery inspired her to write about her experiences with battling cancer and the road to remission. The book titled, They Call Me “The Miracle“, is a collaboration between talented writer Randy Harris and cancer survivor Carmen Rice, focused on bringing hope to those who are battling illness or doubt in their own lives. Order her book here, and NFCR will receive a portion of your purchase from Amazon!
NFCR Congratulates GCAR on its New Partnership & GBM AGILE Expansion
The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) and CEO Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., congratulate the Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (GCAR) for their continued commitment to expanding options for cancer patients and perseverance in the fight against difficult-to-treat cancers. Recently, GCAR announced its strategic partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) to accelerate treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients. In collaboration, GCAR and PANCAN will launch the next phase of their clinical trial. Pancreatic cancer is one of the few cancers for which survival has not improved substantially in over 40 years. It has proved difficult to diagnose in the early stages when cancer is most treatable. Consequently, the overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just 12%. Pancreatic patients and their families deserve better. Dr. Ba is one of the few individuals who has been a part of GBM AGILE from the beginning, fighting for progress for cancer patients. Dr. Ba co-founded GBM AGILE, the innovative, paradigm-shifting clinical trial accelerating how we review and approve life-saving cancer treatments for the most difficult-to-treat cancers, such as glioblastoma (GBM). Part of the founding vision of GCAR was to expand the adaptive clinical trial approach beyond GBM. GCAR's alliance with PANCAN demonstrates they are taking the necessary steps to achieve this goal and provide great hope for cancer patients. From the Press Release: "GCAR is excited to collaborate with PanCAN to launch this innovative and groundbreaking effort, continuing to work with the clinicians, patient community and industry to move forward the vision to improve treatment options for patients," said Dr. Meredith Buxton, CEO & President, GCAR. NFCR extends our kudos to both GCAR and PANCAN for their commitment to improving cancer survivorship! {{ vc_btn: title=Read+The+Press+Release&style=custom&custom_background=%23002c76&custom_text=%23ffffff&align=center&button_block=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gcaresearch.org%252Fnews%252Fthe-pancreatic-cancer-action-network-and-the-global-coalition-for-adaptive-research-forge-a-powerful-alliance-to-accelerate-treatment-options-for-pancreatic-cancer-patients%252F%7Ctarget%3A_blank }}{{ vc_btn: title=Learn+More+about+GBM+AGILE&style=custom&custom_background=%23ff5012&custom_text=%23ffffff&align=center&button_block=true&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nfcr.org%252Fgbm-agile-2%252F%7Ctarget%3A_blank }} Cures for cancer are coming! Be a part of the movment to Make Cures Possible.
GBM Awareness Day – Make Cures Possible with NFCR
Today is GBM Awareness Day. GBM is one of the deadly cancers that has seen very few significant updates over the last 20 years. The lack of breakthroughs is not because researchers aren't trying - they are - but because there is a bottleneck at the clinical trial stage to approve better treatments. This bottleneck is one of the critical reasons NFCR, led by President & CEO Dr. Sujuan Ba, is committed to bringing new treatment options to patients through the GBM AGILE initiative. GBM AGILE is a paradigm-shifting clinical trial system. Our hope is that this can become the foundation for defeating other rare and complex cancers. GBM is the deadliest type of brain cancer, accounting for 45% of all malignant brain tumors and the five-year average survival rate is only 5% or less. Learn More about Brain Cancers. Dr. Ba is one of the few individuals who has been a part of GBM AGILE from the beginning, fighting for progress for cancer patients. "It is imperative that patients know we will not give up on them." NFCR Makes Cures Possible, and we intend to do the same for patients facing the deadliest brain cancer, GBM. GBM RESOURCES FROM NFCR Hope After a Glioblastoma Diagnosis Carmen Rice was given 6 months to live; 3 good, 3 bad. Over a decade later, she is still thriving and advocating for better options for other glioblastoma patients. Watch this video to better understand what glioblastoma patients are up against. Caregiver Tips Tom and his wife Bernadette were happily living their daily life when they noticed Bernadette’s occasional fumbling for certain words or movements. Tom became his wife's caregiver and wants to share his tips and experience to help others in similar situations. GBM AGILE Learn more about the paradigm-shifting clinical trial system that efficiently tests new treatments, advancing effective ones faster and rejecting ineffective ones quickly.
