What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiotherapy given immediately after hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and alongside chemotherapy for adults with high-grade brain tumours.
What They Found
Of 30 assessable patients, 17 (57%) showed an objective response, including four complete responses and 13 partial responses. For glioblastoma patients, the median time to progression was 12.3 months and the median survival time was 17.3 months. While grade 4 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 10% and 7% of patients respectively, these were temporary, and no serious non-blood-related or late toxicities were observed.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests that combining HBOT with standard radiation and chemotherapy for high-grade gliomas may be a safe treatment option. Patients in Canada with these aggressive brain tumours could potentially benefit from such combined approaches, but larger studies are needed to confirm the full benefits.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted by Canadian authors or in Canada. High-grade gliomas are not a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a phase II trial, this study had a relatively small number of participants and focused on initial safety and efficacy rather than definitive long-term outcomes.