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GlioblastomaFebruary 2023Summary reviewed October 2026

Brain Cancer Patients Lived Longer Without Tumor Growth With Combo Treatment

Patients with recurrent brain cancer who received radiation therapy plus bevacizumab had their disease-free survival more than double compared to bevacizumab alone—staying without progression for 7.1 months versus 3.8 months. Overall survival was similar between groups, but the treatment was safe with minimal serious side effects.

What the trial was testing

The NRG ONCOLOGY/RTOG1205 enrolled 182 patients with glioblastoma. The study was sponsored by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

6-month progression-free survival improved from 29% with bevacizumab alone to 54% with the combination.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2023 · NCT01730950

These findings — that more than half of patients stayed without tumor growth at six months with combination treatment. — were published in the Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 182 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with glioblastoma, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

This trial shows that adding radiation to bevacizumab helps keep recurrent brain cancer from growing longer, though it doesn't change how long patients live overall. The combination was well tolerated with few severe side effects. Talk to your doctor about whether this two-pronged approach fits your situation.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.