Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumour in adults, with around 3,200 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year. Despite standard treatment with maximal safe surgery, radiotherapy, and temozolomide chemotherapy, median survival remains just 15–18 months. UK researchers are leading ambitious trials in CAR-T cell therapy, oncolytic viruses, tumour-treating fields, and personalised vaccines — bringing genuine hope to what has long been one of oncology's toughest challenges.
Brain tumour research is a UK national priority, with dedicated funding through Brain Tumour Research, the Brain Tumour Charity, and NIHR. The UK's network of neuro-oncology centres — led by institutions like UCL Queen Square, the Christie, and Addenbrooke's — has an exceptionally active trial portfolio. The National Brain Tumour Registry provides real-world outcome data that informs trial design.
There are currently over 60 actively recruiting glioblastoma and high-grade glioma trials in the UK, ranging from Phase 1 first-in-human to Phase 3 practice-changing studies.
Types of Glioblastoma Trials
CAR-T Cell Therapy
Engineered T cells targeting EGFRvIII, IL13Rα2, and HER2 on glioblastoma cells, delivered intratumorally or intraventricularly.
Modified viruses (HSV, adenovirus, reovirus) injected into tumours, selectively replicating in cancer cells and triggering immune responses.
Tumour-Treating Fields
Portable devices delivering alternating electric fields that disrupt cell division, now in UK trials combining TTF with novel agents.
Cell Therapy & CAR-T
UK centres are at the global forefront of CAR-T for solid tumours, with glioblastoma as a key target:
EGFRvIII-directed CAR-T — targeting the EGFRvIII mutation found in ~30% of GBM. UK trials use locally-administered CAR-T (directly into the tumour cavity or ventricular system) to overcome the blood-brain barrier
IL13Rα2 CAR-T — targeting interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2, overexpressed on most GBM cells. UK Phase 1 trials at UCL showing promising early results with intraventricular delivery
Multi-target CAR-T — next-generation approaches using tandem CARs or co-administered CAR-T products targeting multiple GBM antigens simultaneously to prevent antigen escape
Armored CAR-T — CAR-T cells engineered to secrete immune-stimulating cytokines (IL-12, IL-15) within the tumour microenvironment, counteracting GBM's immunosuppressive nature
Gamma delta CAR-T — using gamma delta T cells as the CAR backbone, which can kill tumour cells without MHC restriction — potentially more effective against heterogeneous GBM
Immunotherapy & Vaccines
GBM creates an intensely immunosuppressive microenvironment, but trials are finding ways to break through:
Personalised neoantigen vaccines — tumour DNA sequencing identifies unique mutations; a custom mRNA or peptide vaccine is manufactured targeting those neoantigens. UK trials combining with checkpoint inhibition
Dendritic cell vaccines — patient's own dendritic cells loaded with tumour antigens and reinfused. The UK ICT-107 and DCVax-L programmes continue to generate data
Checkpoint inhibitors — while single-agent anti-PD-1 has not shown benefit in unselected GBM, UK trials are testing: combination with radiation, neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) checkpoint blockade, and combination with anti-VEGF
Anti-CTLA-4 intratumoural delivery — injecting checkpoint inhibitors directly into the tumour or resection cavity to maximise local immune activation while minimising systemic toxicity
Oncolytic Virus Therapy
Oncolytic viruses are designed to replicate selectively in cancer cells, destroying them and stimulating immune responses:
HSV-1 oncolytic viruses — modified herpes simplex virus (similar to T-VEC in melanoma), injected into the tumour or resection cavity. UK trials combining with checkpoint inhibitors
Adenovirus therapies — conditionally replicating adenoviruses (ONYX-015, adenovirus-Δ24-RGD) engineered to replicate only in cells with defective Rb/p16 pathways — characteristic of GBM
Reovirus (Reolysin) — exploits the activated RAS pathway common in GBM. UK trials combining with standard chemoradiation
Poliovirus recombinant (PVSRIPO) — modified poliovirus targeting CD155 (widely expressed on GBM). Following encouraging Phase 1 data, further UK studies are planned
Tumour-Treating Fields
Tumour-treating fields (TTF) use alternating electric fields to disrupt cancer cell division:
TTF + standard treatment — following the EF-14 trial showing survival benefit, UK centres now offer TTF alongside temozolomide. Current trials combine TTF with novel agents
TTF + immunotherapy — hypothesis that TTF-induced cell death releases tumour antigens, potentially synergising with checkpoint inhibitors
Optimisation studies — UK trials investigating optimal compliance (≥18 hours/day), electrode placement, and field intensity for individual tumour locations
Quality of life impact — real-world UK studies on the practical burden of wearing TTF devices and strategies to improve adherence
Targeted & IDH-Focused Therapy
Molecular profiling of brain tumours is revealing targetable vulnerabilities:
IDH-mutant glioma — vorasidenib (IDH inhibitor) approved for IDH-mutant low-grade glioma. UK trials extending to higher-grade IDH-mutant tumours and exploring combination strategies
BRAF V600E glioma — dabrafenib + trametinib showing activity in BRAF-mutant gliomas. UK trials testing in both paediatric and adult populations
MGMT methylation-guided therapy — trials using MGMT promoter methylation status to guide temozolomide dosing and duration
Anti-angiogenic therapy — bevacizumab for recurrent GBM, with UK trials testing earlier use and novel anti-VEGF combinations
MET inhibitors — for MET-amplified or MET-exon-14-skipping gliomas, a growing molecular subgroup
Who Can Participate?
Glioblastoma trial eligibility depends on molecular markers, prior treatment, and functional status:
Newly diagnosed GBM trials — typically require histologically confirmed glioblastoma, MGMT methylation status known, recovered from surgery (2–6 weeks), and Karnofsky Performance Status ≥70
Recurrent GBM trials — progressive disease after standard chemoradiation. Many require IDH-wildtype confirmation and specific molecular markers (EGFRvIII, MET amplification)
CAR-T and cell therapy trials — often require accessible tumour for injection, adequate organ function for leukapheresis, no significant immunosuppression, and HLA typing
Vaccine trials — require sufficient tumour tissue for sequencing/vaccine manufacture, and adequate immune function
General criteria — stable corticosteroid dose (or off steroids for some trials), no active infection, adequate blood counts, and no other active malignancy
💡 Tip: Preserve Tumour Tissue
If you are facing glioblastoma surgery, discuss tumour banking with your neurosurgeon before the operation. Having frozen tumour tissue available is essential for many clinical trials — particularly vaccine and CAR-T studies that need to sequence your tumour's DNA. Molecular profiling (IDH, MGMT, EGFR, BRAF, MET) should be requested at diagnosis, as it directly determines trial eligibility.
UK Glioblastoma Trial Locations
Major UK centres running glioblastoma trials include:
London — UCL Queen Square, Royal Marsden, Imperial College Healthcare, King's College Hospital, Great Ormond Street (paediatric)
Manchester — The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (major neuro-oncology trials centre)
Cambridge — Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge University Hospitals, major brain tumour research)
Leeds — St James's University Hospital (Leeds Cancer Centre)
Birmingham — Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (neuroscience centre)
Glasgow — Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Institute of Neurological Sciences
Edinburgh — Western General Hospital (Edinburgh Cancer Centre)
Liverpool — The Walton Centre (dedicated neuroscience NHS trust)
How to Find Your Match
Use our Smart Matcher to find glioblastoma trials tailored to your molecular profile, treatment stage, and functional status. Whether you are newly diagnosed and seeking trials alongside standard chemoradiation, or facing recurrence and exploring CAR-T, vaccines, or oncolytic virus therapy, we can match you to actively recruiting studies.