Innovative Approaches to CNS Tumor Management: Focused Ultrasound and Beyond

MRI-guided focused ultrasound combined with chemotherapy was reported by a UMMSpress release to be associated with longer survival in glioblastoma—mean overall survival >30 months in the treated arm versus 19 months in matched controls (~40% relative increase).

The release reports progression-free survival of 14 months in the treated arm versus 8 months in controls and states the prospectively reported trial enrolled 34 patients in the focused-ultrasound arm with a matched control cohort of 185 and prespecified primary endpoints of overall survival and progression-free survival.

Focused ultrasound transiently opens the blood–brain barrier to increase capture of circulating tumor DNA and tumor biomarkers, enabling noninvasive liquid biopsy monitoring. By permitting this sampling, the technique facilitates earlier detection of progression and molecular response tracking that can inform treatment changes and may change follow-up intensity and trial endpoints.

Concurrently, advances in radiotherapy planning and prognostic modeling are aligning with device-enabled drug delivery to refine patient management. Examples include adaptive MRI-radiotherapy workflows, dose-painting strategies that concentrate dose on high-risk subvolumes, and molecular prognostic calculators for individualized risk stratification. Together, these developments support a cohesive strategy that combines precise delivery, targeted systemic therapy, and improved monitoring to incrementally shift outcomes.