A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers suggests gabapentin, a common anti-seizure drug, may prolong survival in glioblastoma patients. Lead researcher Joshua Bernstock noted this finding is a significant advance in treating a historically fatal disease. Analysis of 693 patients showed those on gabapentin lived an average of 16 months compared to 12 months for those not taking it. A similar study at UCSF replicated these findings, revealing even longer survival for gabapentin users, averaging 20.8 months. This highlights the potential of repurposing existing medications.
The discovery that an already approved medication with a favorable safety profile can extend overall survival represents a meaningful and potentially practice-changing advance.
Overall survival has barely improved over the last several decades, with most patients living only 12 to 14 months after diagnosis, and 5.5 months after recurrence.
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