Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,948 studies31 sourcesUpdated 39 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Cancers

Advancing Glioblastoma Supportive Care: Closing the Caregiver Gap

  • Jordan L. Smith1,2
  • Garin G. Griffith3
  • Hala Hassanain4
  • Jennie W. Taylor5,6,7
  • Susan M. Chang6,7
  • Kerri Winters-Stone8
  • Ahmed Raslan1
  • Stephen G. Bowden1,2,9
  • Josh Walker10,11
  • Ramon F. Barajas9,12,13
  • Anh Huan Vo1,2,9,14
14 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  2. 2Center for Experimental Therapeutics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  3. 3School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  4. 4Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  5. 5Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
  6. 6Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
  7. 7UCSF Neuro-Oncology Gordon Murray Caregiver Program, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
  8. 8Department of Oncological Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
  9. 9Translational Oncology Program, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  10. 10Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  11. 11Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  12. 12Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  13. 13Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
  14. 14Neuro-Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
Open at sourceDOICite

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is devastating both in prognosis and in patient impact. Differing from other solid tumors, GBM produces significant, often rapid, neurologic decline necessitating intense caregiving. This care usually falls to an intimate partner or family member. Early studies in GBM patient–caregiver dyads confirm substantial caregiver needs. Most caregivers report significant distress, with nearly 40% reporting depression and anxiety. Educational initiatives, early palliative care, and psychotherapy have increased caregiver preparedness. However, current healthcare delivery is organized primarily around the patient, and few systems offer caregiver-specific interventions. Early evidence suggests that focused efforts to improve caregiver quality of life may improve patient survival and healthcare utilization, incentivizing the healthcare team to further investigate how to best support the patient–caregiver dyad. The literature in other tumor types suggests dyad-based interventions may also reduce distress more effectively than caregiver or patient-based interventions alone. Further research is needed to design an optimal supportive-care model for GBM dyads. Across each stage of the disease course (from diagnosis and treatment to surveillance, progression, and bereavement), the needs of the dyad are dynamic. This requires targeted and adaptive interventions such as nurse-led navigation, structured education, anticipatory guidance, and clinical supportive-care programs or clinical trials aimed at improving dyadic physical and psychological well-being at different time points during the disease course. Ultimately, future studies evaluating caregiver support in GBM are needed and should assess not only psychological benefits and patient survival, but also programmatic implementation, clinical trial participation, and healthcare utilization efficiency.

Related

  1. Developing the supportive care bundle for mothers of infants hospitalised in the neonatal intensive care unit: protocol for a multimethod study
    Fatemeh Mehrabirad, Mandana Saki, Mohammad Gholami +2
    BMJ OpenPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0Full textObstetrics, gynaecology & paediatricsCrossref
  2. Generative Artificial Intelligence in Periodontology: Application of OpenAI Models for the Classification of Periodontitis and Risk Assessment in Patients Undergoing Supportive Periodontal Care
    Albert Camlet, Aida Kusiak, Dariusz Świetlik
    Journal of clinical medicinePeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  3. A National Survey of Kidney Supportive Care Services in Ireland
    Sorcha O’Brien, Jacob Mackey, Barnaby Hole +6
    Kidney international reportsPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  4. Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Environmental Exposures in Endometriosis: Toward Personalized Supportive Care
    Antonella Iaconis, Marika Cordaro
    NutrientsPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Obstetrics, gynaecology & paediatricsCrossref
  5. Closing the Gaps in Heart Failure Care: A Call for a National Strategy in Canada
    Stephanie Poon, Sean A. Virani, Margot K. Davis +10
    CJC openPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textCardiovascular medicineEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{smith2026advancing,
  title = {{Advancing Glioblastoma Supportive Care: Closing the Caregiver Gap}},
  author = {Jordan L. Smith and Garin G. Griffith and Hala Hassanain and Jennie W. Taylor and Susan M. Chang and Kerri Winters-Stone and Ahmed Raslan and Stephen G. Bowden and Josh Walker and Ramon F. Barajas and Anh Huan Vo},
  journal = {Cancers},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.3390/cancers18213557},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/18/21/3557},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Advancing Glioblastoma Supportive Care: Closing the Caregiver Gap
AU  - Jordan L. Smith
AU  - Garin G. Griffith
AU  - Hala Hassanain
AU  - Jennie W. Taylor
AU  - Susan M. Chang
AU  - Kerri Winters-Stone
AU  - Ahmed Raslan
AU  - Stephen G. Bowden
AU  - Josh Walker
AU  - Ramon F. Barajas
AU  - Anh Huan Vo
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/05
JO  - Cancers
DO  - 10.3390/cancers18213557
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/18/21/3557
AB  - Glioblastoma (GBM) is devastating both in prognosis and in patient impact. Differing from other solid tumors, GBM produces significant, often rapid, neurologic decline necessitating intense caregiving. This care usually falls to an intimate partner or family member. Early studies in GBM patient–caregiver dyads confirm substantial caregiver needs. Most caregivers report significant distress, with nearly 40% reporting depression and anxiety. Educational initiatives, early palliative care, and psychotherapy have increased caregiver preparedness. However, current healthcare delivery is organized primarily around the patient, and few systems offer caregiver-specific interventions. Early evidence suggests that focused efforts to improve caregiver quality of life may improve patient survival and healthcare utilization, incentivizing the healthcare team to further investigate how to best support the patient–caregiver dyad. The literature in other tumor types suggests dyad-based interventions may also reduce distress more effectively than caregiver or patient-based interventions alone. Further research is needed to design an optimal supportive-care model for GBM dyads. Across each stage of the disease course (from diagnosis and treatment to surveillance, progression, and bereavement), the needs of the dyad are dynamic. This requires targeted and adaptive interventions such as nurse-led navigation, structured education, anticipatory guidance, and clinical supportive-care programs or clinical trials aimed at improving dyadic physical and psychological well-being at different time points during the disease course. Ultimately, future studies evaluating caregiver support in GBM are needed and should assess not only psychological benefits and patient survival, but also programmatic implementation, clinical trial participation, and healthcare utilization efficiency.
SN  - 2072-6694
ER  -