Glioblastoma remains one of the most lethal brain cancers, with patients surviving on average just 15 months after diagnosis. Despite advances in neurosurgery and radiotherapy, the cancer almost always returns. This happens because glioblastoma has the ability to hide tumor cells within surrounding tissues, far beyond what conventional imaging can detect.
Traditionally, surgeons rely on MRI scans and fluorescent dyes to identify and remove as much of the tumor as possible. However, these tools often fail to capture cancer cells that have migrated deeper into the brain. As a result, even the most aggressive surgeries leave behind hidden cells that fuel recurrence.
At the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, researcher Jennifer Munson and her team have developed a new method to address this challenge. Their approach combines advanced MRI data, knowledge of interstitial fluid flow, the way fluid moves through spaces between cells, and an algorithm that predicts where glioblastoma cells are most likely to invade.
This innovation highlights a key biological insight: fluid flow around tumors creates pathways that cancer cells follow, much like streams merging into rivers. Faster flows indicate higher invasion risk, while slower, more random motion corresponds to reduced migration. By mapping these flows, doctors can anticipate the tumor’s next move.
Munson’s team has shown that this predictive mapping can guide surgeons to be more precise and, when safe, more aggressive in removing tissue. It also helps radiation oncologists target high-risk areas while sparing healthy brain regions from unnecessary treatment.
The research has led to the creation of Cairina, a spin-off company dedicated to turning these discoveries into clinical tools. Their goal is to provide probability maps of tumor invasion that personalize surgery and therapy for each patient.
Supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and others, this work represents a promising step toward smarter, data-driven glioblastoma care. By predicting where cancer will strike next, medicine moves closer to extending survival and improving quality of life for patients facing this devastating disease.
Article written by Matt Chittum
09/09/2025
Source:
Virginia Tech news