EANO 2026: Connecting science, patients and access to treatment

I attended EANO 2026 in Rome as a glioblastoma patient, an advocate and someone determined to understand what could improve our chances against this disease.

Across the conference, I spoke with more than 100 people from the industry and wider neuro-oncology community. I met researchers, clinicians and companies developing new treatments, made connections with Dutch neuro-oncology specialists, and discussed both the science and the barriers patients face when trying to access it.

Turning conversations into action

One of my priorities was meeting Novocure, the company behind Optune, to discuss access to Tumor Treating Fields in the Netherlands. Our conversations covered patient advocacy, affordability and my plans to help Dutch patients access and finance Optune TTF treatment.

I also raised a question that continues to frustrate me: why do patients in the Netherlands face barriers to treatments that patients elsewhere can access? In particular, I discussed differences in access to and reimbursement for Tumor Treating Fields.

Connecting with Dutch specialists matters here. We need a constructive conversation between patients, clinicians, industry and policymakers about the evidence, the obstacles and what needs to change.

The scientific direction: combinations and personalisation

My strongest impression from the conference was the growing emphasis on combining treatments and targeting glioblastoma through several mechanisms at once.

Researchers are exploring ways to attack multiple tumour proteins and biological pathways, activate the immune system, and tailor treatment to the molecular characteristics of each patient’s tumour. Therapeutic vaccines, engineered immune cells and oncolytic viruses are part of this direction.

There was also attention to getting treatments into the brain and overcoming the blood–brain barrier.

These ideas are encouraging. However, I did not leave with the sense that a major breakthrough for glioblastoma had arrived. Much of the work remains experimental, and promising biological activity still needs to translate into longer survival and better quality of life.

Studies that caught my attention

• Engineered T cells for EGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma: The E-SYNC approach uses recognition of one tumour protein to activate attacks against other targets. An early study reported two patients remaining progression-free for more than two years. Encouraging, but larger studies are needed to establish effectiveness. [1]

• Liquid biopsy using cerebrospinal fluid: Mayo Clinic and Heidelberg researchers showed that tumour DNA in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord can provide useful diagnostic information. I also discussed its potential for assessing progression with a Heidelberg scientist. The posters support an additional diagnostic tool; they do not yet establish routine monitoring in stable glioblastoma. [2a, 2b]

• A peptide vaccine targeting TERT and PTPRZ1: Early NAVIG-1 results showed TERT-specific immune responses in five of nine patients, with mostly mild vaccine-related side effects. This demonstrates immune activity, but a survival benefit has not yet been established. [3]

• Gabapentin and tumour–nerve interactions: A published study involving 1,072 patients associated gabapentin use with longer survival. It explores an interesting treatment angle: disrupting communication between neurons and tumour cells. Because the study was retrospective, it cannot prove that gabapentin caused the improvement. [4]

• Extending temozolomide beyond six cycles: An Ontario study of 775 patients reported a modest survival association favouring extended treatment. Its observational design means it does not settle the question of who benefits or how that benefit balances against additional toxicity. [5]

• Fluoxetine combined with temozolomide: A small surgical-window study in recurrent high-grade glioma reported changes suggesting reduced immune suppression within the tumour. These are interesting early biological signals, rather than proof of improved survival. [6]

  
  

I came home with new connections, research to follow and conversations to continue. The scientific direction gives me reasons to keep pushing, while the gap between research and patient access gives me work to do.

Heal myself, help others, change the system.

References and further reading

[1] Engineered T-cell therapy — E-SYNCUCSF. E-SYNC engineered T-cell therapy for EGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma. Poster presented at EANO 2026, Rome.

[2a] Cerebrospinal-fluid liquid biopsy — Mayo Clinic. Poster reporting real-world cerebrospinal-fluid cell-free DNA testing in neuro-oncology, presented at EANO 2026, Rome. References based on my conference photographs; exact title and poster number.

[2b] Cerebrospinal-fluid liquid biopsy — Heidelberg Kessler T, Schulz S, Fouarge E, et al. The Neuro Liquid Biopsy Board – Brain tumor diagnostics from cerebrospinal fluid. Poster presented at EANO 2026, Rome.

[3] Peptide vaccine — NAVIG-1 Carpentier AF, Idbaih A, Khacef K, et al. First-in-human peptide nanoaggregate vaccine targeting TERT and PTPRZ1 in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (NAVIG-1 Phase I/IIa trial). Poster presented at EANO 2026, Rome. NCT06622434

[4] Gabapentin — published researchBernstock JD, Mehari M, Gerstl JVE, et al. Gabapentinoids confer survival benefit in human glioblastoma. Nature Communications. 2025;16:4483.Read the paper

[5] Extended temozolomide Pablay K, Brogly S, Taslimi S. Safety and effectiveness of extended temozolomide chemotherapy in glioblastoma patients, a target trial emulation. Poster presented at EANO 2026, Rome. Queen’s University and ICES, Ontario, Canada.

[6] Fluoxetine combined with temozolomide — oral presentation Singh K, et al. A randomized surgical window of opportunity study evaluating fluoxetine and temozolomide in recurrent high-grade glioma. Oral presentation at EANO 2026, Rome; programme reference OS06.4.A. NCT05634707

Conference findings are summarised from the presentations and posters I reviewed. Trial-registration links describe the studies and do not necessarily contain the results presented at EANO 2026.