Caryn Lerman and David Tran
Jun 8, 2025, 11:03
Caryn Lerman Highlights Promising Optune–Keytruda Combination in Glioblastoma Trial led by David Tran
Caryn Lerman, Director of USC Norris and the H. Leslie and Elaine S. Hoffman Professor in Cancer Research, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadliest brain cancer in adults, with limited success from current treatments.
In a new clinical trial, led by USC Norris member and Co-Director of the USC Brain Tumor Center Dr. David Tran, they tested whether combining two therapies—Tumor Treating Fields (also known as Optune) and Keytruda (an immunotherapy)—could improve survival for newly diagnosed GBM patients.
31 patients who had finished standard treatment, which included surgery or biopsy, followed by radiation and chemotherapy, received the Optune–Keytruda-chemotherapy combination.
The results were promising and patients on the combination lived longer without disease progression and had better overall survival. The study also showed that the combination helped the immune system recognize and remember the tumor, potentially offering lasting protection.
By combining Optune with immunotherapy, we’ve shown it’s possible to reawaken the immune system against glioblastoma, offering new hope for patients with the most aggressive and previously unresponsive brain tumors. Learn more about this trial here.”
The USC Norris-led trial assessed the combination of Optune, Keytruda, and chemotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients post-standard care. The approach showed extended progression-free and overall survival, with indications of enhanced immune memory against the tumor.
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