Key Points
- More than 260 attendees, including 60 experts from 58 institutions around the world, convened virtually to discuss focused ultrasound for glioblastomas (GBM).
- A summary is now available.
Because focused ultrasound research for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) has grown exponentially in recent years, the Foundation partnered with the Society for Neuro-oncology (SNO) and the AANS/CNS Tumor Section to host a virtual workshop on May 19–20, 2021, to convene critical stakeholders – researchers, clinicians, industry, government, and others – on the topic.
The purpose of the meeting was to share knowledge, identify gaps in evidence, and create a roadmap for the technical developments, laboratory studies, and clinical trials necessary for focused ultrasound to progress in the treatment of GBM. In all, 262 people from 58 institutions around the world participated.
The platform allowed the Foundation to make more than 20 prerecorded lectures* available to attendees before the event. This advance content addressed several important topics related to focused ultrasound for GBM, including the state of the technology and research on blood-brain barrier opening, immunotherapy, sonodynamic therapy, and more. See the agenda >
The live aspect of the event featured in-depth and inquisitive expert panel discussions that addressed burning questions related to each topic. Some highlights of the discussion included mechanisms of action being studied for the treatment of GBM, which patient populations have the most critical unmet need, desired technology features and functionalities, and regulatory and reimbursement considerations.
Deliverables from the workshop will include:
- A two-year roadmap of projects to address the “burning questions” from the workshop
- A white paper documenting the discussion and results of the meeting
- A series of smaller follow-up meetings featuring experts from the workshop to advance the science in specific topics
The recorded content is now available for a limited time via the virtual platform*. A white paper and a full archive of the video presentations will be available in the coming weeks.
The Foundation’s last workshop to address GBM research was held in November 2015.
*A brief registration is required.