A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers offers hope for patients with glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer in adults. The research found that taking gabapentin, a common anti-seizure and pain drug, can extend overall survival.
The study involved 693 glioblastoma patients at Mass General Brigham, where those already taking gabapentin survived an average of 16 months compared to 12 months for those not on the medication. The results were later replicated in a larger dataset of 379 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma at the University of California, San Francisco.
The study’s lead author, Joshua Bernstock, emphasizes that while the findings are promising, more research is needed to confirm them. Larger clinical trials are required to verify the effects of gabapentin on survival rates for glioblastoma patients. The researchers acknowledge that existing knowledge from cancer neuroscience suggests gabapentin may have anti-tumor properties, but this study’s retrospective design limits its conclusions.
With over 12,000 new glioblastoma cases diagnosed annually in the US, the cancer remains a significant challenge for patients and clinicians alike. Current overall survival rates barely improve, with most patients living only 12-14 months after diagnosis and 5.5 months after recurrence. This study’s potential breakthrough offers new avenues for exploration and treatment options for glioblastoma patients.
Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/05/17/glioblastoma-brain-cancer-research-boston-study-provides-glimmer-of-hope