Raising Awareness of GBM
What is GBM?
GBM is the most commonly diagnosed high-grade brain tumour in adults
Approximately 3,200 adults are diagnosed with a GBM every year
The average survival for someone diagnosed with GBM is just 12-18 months
Treatments for GBM have not changed in two decades and there is no cure
Only 25% of people diagnosed with GBM survive for more than one year
Just 5% of people diagnosed with GBM live for more than five years and less than 1% survive more than 10 years
GBM accounts for 32% of primary brain tumour diagnoses in England
How will we find a cure?
This fast-growing type of tumour is very challenging to treat due to its complex nature. GBMs are diffuse brain tumours, meaning the tumour cells invade healthy areas of the brain.
Treatments are extremely limited and have not improved in decades, but research we are funding at our Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence is at the cutting edge of finding a cure.
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The team at our Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London has developed a world-leading platform to compare GBM stem cells and healthy brain stem cells from the same patient to find out what drives an individual patient’s tumour to grow and if this can be targeted with treatments – the first step in personalised treatment for GBM.
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Our Research Centre at Imperial College London is investigating new drug treatments for GBM patients, developing new intra-operative tools to aid in neurosurgery, and designing wearable technology which will non-invasively monitor patients to better understand their response to treatment between scans.
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At our Centre at the University of Plymouth, researchers have identified a range of mutations in brain tumour cells that initiate tumour progression, potentially transforming low-grade gliomas into more immediately life-threatening high-grade gliomas (including GBM).
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Our Centre at The Institute of Cancer Research is working on paediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas (a group of challenging brain tumours that include those known as paediatric GBM), and is generating the laboratory data needed to support the launch of new clinical trials.
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BRAIN UK is the UK’s only national tissue bank registry providing crucial access to brain tumour samples for researchers and an essential component in the fight to find a cure for GBM
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The Patient Research Involvement Movement (PRIME) – funded in partnership with our sister charity brainstrust – is focused on ensuring clinical projects are aligned with the needs of patients
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The Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator, in partnership with Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, provides bespoke, independent guidance for researchers to help them position their new therapeutic or technology along a realistic pathway to clinical trials
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In partnership with the Medical Research Council, we are funding a project at Cardiff University which will see Dr Ben Newland working to develop an innovative “super sponge” to treat GBM patients
Your stories
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Read Frank's storySport-loving Frank was diagnosed with a GBM after he suddenly collapsed at home. He was just 15 when he died.
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Read Hannah's storyHannah’s brain tumour was discovered after she suffered a seizure. She has raised thousands to help find a cure.
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Read Philip's storyPhilip died just three months after his GBM diagnosis. He never got to meet his newest grandson Noah or enjoy his retirement.
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Read Jennifer's storyMum-of-two Jennifer passed away at home with her family by her side in 2023, four years after she diagnosed with a GBM.
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Read Baljit's storyBaljit was part of a clinical trial testing a new drug in combination with radiotherapy, but sadly passed away last year.
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Read Yvonne's storyDespite treatment, Yvonne and her family know their time together is limited and are fundraising to help future patients.
