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Current Oncology
Special Issues
Glioblastoma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prognosis
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Glioblastoma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prognosis

A special issue of Current Oncology (ISSN 1718-7729). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuro-Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2026 | Viewed by 1406

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giuseppe Lombardi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Neuro-Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padova, Italy
Interests: glioblastoma; astrocitoma; oligodendroglioma; meningioma
Dr. Alberto Bosio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Oncology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padova, Italy
Interests: glioblastoma; meningioma

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Glioblastoma remains the most aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor in adults, characterized by marked molecular heterogeneity, rapid progression, and inevitable recurrence despite multimodal therapy. Recent advances in molecular profiling, neuroimaging, and targeted therapeutic approaches have reshaped diagnostic and treatment paradigms, fostering more personalized and biology-driven management of this disease. Nevertheless, prognosis remains dismal, and innovative strategies are urgently needed to overcome therapeutic resistance and improve patient survival.

This Special Issue will provide an updated overview of current knowledge and emerging advances regarding the biology, clinical presentation, and management of glioblastoma. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and clinical studies addressing molecular pathogenesis, prognostic and predictive biomarkers, novel therapeutic targets, immunotherapy, tumor microenvironment, radiomics, and patient-reported outcomes.

Dr. Giuseppe Lombardi
Guest Editor

Dr. Alberto Bosio
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Oncology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • glioblastoma
  • molecular biomarkers
  • targeted therapy
  • immunotherapy
  • imaging
  • tumor microenvironment
  • prognosis

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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14 pages, 1113 KB  
Article
Retrospective Monocentric Analysis of Carmustine Wafer Implantation in Recurrent Glioblastoma: Impact on Survival and Key Prognostic Factors
by Naomi Houedjissin, Franziska Staub-Bartelt, Michael Sabel, Julia Steinmann, Hannah Fischer and Marion Rapp
Curr. Oncol. 2026, 33(5), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33050238 - 22 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Objective: The implantation of biodegradable carmustine (BCNU) wafers is a treatment option for recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG), but its efficacy is debated. We evaluated its impact on overall survival (OS) and survival after recurrence (SAR) considering recurrence timing after first-line treatment. Methods: In [...] Read more.
Objective: The implantation of biodegradable carmustine (BCNU) wafers is a treatment option for recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG), but its efficacy is debated. We evaluated its impact on overall survival (OS) and survival after recurrence (SAR) considering recurrence timing after first-line treatment. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed patients who underwent surgery for glioblastoma (GBM) recurrence following initial diagnosis (pre- and post-WHO classification 2016) between 2007 and 2022. All patients received standard first-line therapy, including maximal safe resection, radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide, and adjuvant temozolomide. Recurrent GBM treatment involves resection, with or without adjuvant chemo- and/or radiotherapy. Patients who received carmustine wafer implantation (CWI) during resection were compared to those without wafer placement. Recurrences were classified by timing relative to first-line therapy: (1) post-radiochemotherapy, pre-adjuvant temozolomide; (2) during adjuvant temozolomide; (3) during prolonged temozolomide; (4) >1 month after completion of all therapy. Primary endpoints were OS and SAR, with prognostic factors analyzed. Results: A total of 176 patients were enrolled, with 59.7% (105/176) receiving CWI. Recurrence treatment included surgery without adjuvant therapy in 23.3% (41/176) of cases (26.7% of CWI+ and 18.3% of CWI−), adjuvant chemotherapy in 39.8% (70/176) (41% of CWI+ and 38% of CWI−), radiotherapy in 7.4% (13/176) (7.6% of CWI+ and 7% of CWI−), and combined radiochemotherapy in 29.5% (52/176) (24.8% of CWI+ and 36.6% of CWI−). No significant differences were found between groups in age (p = 0.684), residual tumor volume after initial (p = 0.988) or recurrence surgery (p = 0.356), MGMT status (p = 0.766) and KPS post 1st-line-therapy (p = 0.833). Median OS was 20 months [range 18–24] for CWI+ and 22 months [range 20–27] for CWI− (p = 0.487). The median SAR was 10 months [range 8–12] for CWI+ and 12 months [range 10–13] for CWI− (p = 0.252). Later recurrence (type 4) significantly correlated with prolonged OS (HR 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04–0.66, p = 0.011). Age (p < 0.001), MGMT methylation (p = 0.017), and smaller residual tumor volume post-recurrence surgery (p = 0.008) were also associated with longer survival. Conclusions: CWI did not significantly improve OS or SAR in recurrent GBM patients. However, younger age, MGMT methylation, smaller residual tumor volume, and later recurrence were linked to better survival outcomes, underscoring their prognostic importance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glioblastoma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prognosis)
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12 pages, 860 KB  
Article
Real-World Treatment Pathways of Adult Patients with Glioblastoma and Other CNS Tumors: A Population-Based Registry Study
by Eliana Ferroni, Alessandra Andreotti, Stefano Guzzinati, Susanna Baracco, Maddalena Baracco, Emanuela Bovo, Eva Carpin, Antonella Dal Cin, Alessandra Greco, Anna Rita Fiore, Laura Memo, Daniele Monetti, Silvia Rizzato, Jessica Elisabeth Stocco, Carmen Stocco, Sara Zamberlan, Marta Maccari, Alberto Bosio, Luca Denaro, Giampietro Pinna, Sara Lonardi, Giuseppe Lombardi and Manuel Zorziadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Curr. Oncol. 2026, 33(4), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33040236 - 21 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Background: Population-level evidence on delivery of neuro-oncology care is essential for evaluating access, equity, and quality of treatment pathways. However, real-world data describing how patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors, especially with glioblastoma, are managed across healthcare systems remain limited. This study [...] Read more.
Background: Population-level evidence on delivery of neuro-oncology care is essential for evaluating access, equity, and quality of treatment pathways. However, real-world data describing how patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors, especially with glioblastoma, are managed across healthcare systems remain limited. This study aimed to characterize treatment pathways using linked registry and administrative data within a regional care network. Methods: All adult CNS tumors diagnosed between 2016 and 2020 were identified in the Veneto Cancer Registry. Tumor grading was derived using a validated text-mining algorithm, and surgical, radiotherapy, and systemic treatments were captured through linkage with regional healthcare utilization databases. Patterns of care were evaluated by tumor subtype, grade, and diagnostic pathway. Results: Among 1634 histologically confirmed tumors, glioblastoma represented the largest group. Surgical intervention was widely implemented, with high resection rates in glioblastoma and meningioma. Combined chemoradiotherapy constituted the primary adjuvant approach for glioblastoma and high-grade diffuse gliomas, whereas management of lower-grade tumors showed greater variability. Approximately one-third of patients received no oncologic therapy, primarily associated with older age or diagnostic uncertainty. Analysis of recurrent glioblastoma showed heterogeneous systemic treatment use, reflecting evolving therapeutic practice. Conclusions: Linking population-based registry and administrative data provides actionable insight into real-world delivery of neuro-oncology care, in particular for glioblastoma patients. This approach enables monitoring of treatment variability, identification of potential access gaps, and evaluation of system-level performance, supporting data-driven planning of multidisciplinary services and future quality improvement initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glioblastoma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prognosis)
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10 pages, 3968 KB  
Case Report
From a Polymorphous Low-Grade Neuroepithelial Tumor to a Glioblastoma in an Adult Patient with FGFR3-TACC3 Fusion: A Case Report and Literature Review of the Molecular Profile
by Lorena Gurrieri, Nada Riva, Alessia Tomassini, Giulia Ghigi, Maurizio Naccarato, Patrizia Cenni, Daniela Bartolini, Chiara Cavatorta, Luigino Tosatto, Monia Dall’Agata and Laura Ridolfi
Curr. Oncol. 2026, 33(3), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33030165 - 13 Mar 2026
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Abstract
From an epidemiological perspective, polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor (PLNTY) represents a small proportion of brain tumors encountered in epilepsy surgery series. Their rarity and relatively recent recognition likely contribute to underdiagnosis and poor prognosis. In terms of histopathological features, they are similar to [...] Read more.
From an epidemiological perspective, polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor (PLNTY) represents a small proportion of brain tumors encountered in epilepsy surgery series. Their rarity and relatively recent recognition likely contribute to underdiagnosis and poor prognosis. In terms of histopathological features, they are similar to oligodendrogliomas. Molecular analyses can be used to show the fusion between fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR3) and transforming acidic coiled coil (TACC) proteins, which most commonly results in progression towards glioblastoma (GBM). We report a case of a 62-year-old man who underwent left frontal craniotomy to remove a frontal mass. Histologically, the glial lesion consisted of elements associated with oligodendroglia-like features. Immunohistochemistry was positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), and α-thalassemia X-linked mental retardation syndrome (ATRX) nuclear expression, but negative for isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and BRAF-V600E. Next-generation sequencing showed the FGFR-TACC3 fusion, and taken together, these findings supported the final diagnosis of PLNTY. During follow-up, the patient underwent a second neurosurgery, where histological evaluation indicated a GMB. This article presents clinical and radiological data, morphology, immunohistochemistry, molecular features, and treatment to enhance the clinical and pathological understanding of PLNTY with FGFR3-TACC3 fusion for all professionals involved in medical decisions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Glioblastoma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prognosis)
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