Tumours
Tumours

Brain

Description

The EORTC Brain Tumor Group (BTG) initiates and conducts academic clinical trials in patients with brain tumours, as well as designing and completing translational research associated with these trials. Its strategy is to challenge, re-define and develop standards of care in all controversial areas of diagnostic and therapeutic Neuro-Oncology, with a focus on diffuse gliomas of adulthood of WHO grades II to IV and, in recent years, also meningioma. The BTG has created several subcommittees that help design and conduct its scientific projects and cover key aspects of all projects such as imaging, translational research, quality of life, and quality assurance. The BTG is open for cooperative projects involving other EORTC groups as well external cooperation, for example with Neuro-Oncology networks in Canada, Australia and the US. The group aims to recruit and mentor junior European colleagues from all involved disciplines who are interested in pursuing an academic career in Neuro-Oncology.

Main Achievements

• Published the second interim analyses of EORTC 26053-22054 on adjuvant and concurrent temozolomide for 1p/19q non-co-deleted anaplastic glioma. Adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy,
but not concurrent temozolomide chemotherapy, was associated with a survival benefit in patients with 1p/19q non-co-deleted anaplastic glioma. Clinical benefit was dependent
on IDH1 and IDH2 mutational status.
• Presented interim results of the phase III EORTC-BTG-1709 trial on marizomib in combination with standard temozolomide-based radiochemotherapy versus standard temozolomide-
based radiochemotherapy alone in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The addition of marizomib did not improve Overall Survival (OS) or Progression Free Survival (PFS)
in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
• Published final results of the first randomised trial in recurrent grade 2/3 meningioma (EORTCBTG-1320) including molecular and quality of life analyses. Trabectedin did not improve PFS
and OS and was associated with higher toxicity than Local Standard of Care (LOC) treatment in patients with non-benign meningioma.
• Completed accrual of EORTC-BTG-1608 trial of TG02 with 21 elderly patients with Anaplastic Astrocytoma or Glioblastoma and 50 patients with Glioblastoma at first relapse. Also completed
accrual of the intergroup ROAM trial with 67 patients out of 157 (42.7%) of patients enrolled at EORTC sites.
• Published several secondary analyses including molecular, radiomics, sarcopenia, quality of life analyses of EORTC BTG trials.

“In 2017, the EORTC 26101 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated that the edition of bevacizumab to CCNU does not prolong overall survival, compared with CCNU alone in glioblastoma at first relapse. Interestingly, these trials results resulted in the continued approval of bevacizumab in this indication in the US and some other countries worldwide, including Switzerland, but not the European union. “

“In 2018 the EORTC trial, known as TAVAREC, demonstrated that the edition of bevacizumab to temozolomide at first relapse of contrast enhancing lower grade glioma without 1p/19q co-deletion, improved neither progression free survival nor overall survival adding to the accumulating evidence that bevacizumab is not active in IDH-mutant tumors.

“In 2020, long-term follow-up of the CATNON trial confirmed the value of maintenance temozolomide treatment in newly diagnosed 1p/19q-non-co-deleted anaplastic gliomas, but still defined no certain role for concomitant temozolomide treatment. In 2022, the EORTC Brain Tumor Group completed the worldwide largest registry study on long-term survival in glioblastoma, enrolling more than 400 patients over several years. This study, known as EORTC 1419 or ETERNITY, will provide a rich source of opportunities to study the mechanisms underline long-term survival glioblastoma.

Related Projects

SPECTAbrain: The aim of SPECTAbrain is to collect tumour specimens from patients with brain tumours for detailed molecular characterisation. This offers multiple opportunities to investigate the biology of brain tumours and to allocate eligible patients to biomarker-driven therapeutic clinical trials.

1230: Prognostic factor analysis in elderly GBM. Development of the model in Nordic and NOA 8 and validation in EORTC 26062/NCCTG CE.6 trial.
(project leader: Annika Malmstrom)
Analyses ongoing.

1337: Secondary analysis of the impact of extended adjuvant temozolomide in newly-diagnosed glioblastoma.
(project leaders: Deborah Blumenthal & Roger Stupp)
The publication has been accepted in Neuro-Oncology.

1426: Prognostic effect of the use of statins, ACE and sartanes in newly diagnosed glioblastoma
(project leader: Caroline Happold)
Publication in preparation.

1542 (G-SAM): Stability of actionable mutations in glioblastoma
(project leader: Pim French)
Genomic analyses ongoing.

1632 (ANTICOA-GBM): Retrospective evaluation of the effect of anticoagulants during initial treatment on survival and safety in glioblastoma patients
(project leader: Emilie Le Rhun)
Analyses ongoing

1654: Meta-analysis of the correlation between MGMT promoter methylation data and survival outcome after chemoratiotherapy (TMZ/RT /TMZ) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma
(project leader: Michael Weller)
Pending for complete data collection.

1661 (GLIOMAG II/III PANEL): Construction of an integrated diagnostic algorithm consisting of consensus histology and molecular parameters using the pathology slides of CATNON and the low-grade glioma study
(project leader: Max Kros)
Pending for complete data collection.

1662 (JBTDDC): Jumpstarting Brain Tumor Drug Development Coalition (JBTDDC); MRI Image Analysis Workgroup
(project leader: Michael Weller)
Pending for DTA signature.

1663 (Metformin-GBM): Associate of metformin use with outcome in IDH1-mutant vs IDH1-Wildtype gliomas of WHO Grades II-IV
(project leader: Peter Hau)
Analyses ongoing.

1664 (TMT-Gliomas): Evaluation of temporal muscle thickness as prognostic parameter in glioma patients: retrospective imaging study in TAVAREC 26091 and EORTC 26101
(project leader: Matthias Preusser)
Pending for CDA signature.

1665 (Antidepressant): Potential prognostic effect of tricyclic antidepressants in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
(project leader: Florence Lefranc)
Analyses ongoing.

European Reference Networks (ERN) for rare solid tumours (EURACAN). EURACAN is involving references centers in Europe covering ten types of rare cancers. EURACAN will improve patient cares and facilitate research in rare cancers.  EORTC is providing the clinical research infrastructure. (No website available yet)

Research Group

Group documents
  • Chair

    Matthias Preusser

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

    Vienna, Austria

  • Secretary

    Emilie Le Rhun

    University Hospital Zurich, Department of Neurology

    Zurich, Switzerland

  • Treasurer

    Giuseppe Minniti

    Universita Degli Studi Di Siena - Policlinico "le Scotte"

    Siena, Italy

Steering Committee

  • M. Preusser - Vienna, AT

    CHAIR

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

  • E. Le Rhun - Zurich, CH

    SECRETARY

    University Hospital Zurich, Department of Neurology

  • G. Minniti - Siena, IT

    TREASURER

    Universita Degli Studi Di Siena - Policlinico "le Scotte"

  • M. Weller - Zurich, CH

    Past-Chair

    Universitätsspital Zürich

  • P. Hau - Regensburg, DE

    Chair Quality Assurance committee

    Universitaetskliniken Regensburg

  • M. van den Bent - Rotterdam, NL

    Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam

  • E. Razis - Athens, GR

    Chair Quality Assurance Committee

    Hygeia Hospital

  • P. French - Rotterdam, NL

    Chair Translational Research, Pathology & SPECTA Committee

    Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam

  • L. Dirven - Leiden, NL

    Chair Quality of Life Committee

    Leiden University Medical Centre

  • M. Smits - Rotterdam, NL

    Chair Imaging Committee

    Erasmus MC Cancer Institute

  • A. Idbaih - Paris, FR

    Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris - La Pitie Salpetriere

  • J. Sepulveda - Madrid, ES

    Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre

  • J. Duerinck - Brussels, BE

    Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

  • M. Geurts - Rotterdam, NL

    Erasmus MC

  • T. Kazda - Brno, CZ

    Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute

  • J. Koekkoek - Leiden , NL

    Leiden University Medical Centre

  • G. Lombardi - Padova, IT

    IRCCS - Istituto Oncologico Veneto

  • A. Pellerino - Torino, IT

    Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Ospedale San Giovanni - Dipartimento Neuroscienze

  • A. Suwala - Heidelberg, DE

    Heidelberg University Hospital

  • E. Tabouret - Marseille, FR

    Hopital de La Timone (APHM)

  • T. Snijders - Utrecht, NL

    Universitair Medisch Centrum - Academisch Ziekenhuis

  • P. Roth - Zurich, CH

    UniversitaetsSpital Zurich

Committees Chairs & Members - Translational Research

  • P. French - Rotterdam, NL

    Chair

    Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam

  • J. Kros - Rotterdam, NL

    Past-Chair

    Erasmus Medical Center

  • M. Hegi - Lausanne, CH

    Past-Chair, SPECTA

    Laboratory of Brain Tumor Biology and Genetics – CHUV

  • A. Berghoff - Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH , AT

    Medical University Vienna

  • F. Bielle - Paris, FR

    Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP

  • S. Brandner - London, GB

    National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

  • M. Kouwenhoven - Amsterdam, NL

    Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum

  • C. Mawrin - Magdeburg, DE

    Otto-Von-Guericke-Universitaet

  • M. Preusser - Vienna, AT

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

  • P. Roth - Zurich, CH

    UniversitaetsSpital Zurich

  • M. Sanson - Paris, FR

    La Pitie Salpetriere

  • C. Seliger-Behme - Heidelberg, DE

    Universitaetsklinikum Heidelberg

  • M. Touat - Paris, FR

    Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris

  • M. Vieito - Barcelona, ES

    Hospital General Vall D'Hebron

  • T. Weiss - Zurich, CH

    UniversitaetsSpital Zurich - Neurology Clinic

  • A. Wöhrer - Vienna, AT

    Medical University Vienna

  • M. Al-Hussaini - Amman, JO

    King Hussein Cancer Center

  • A. Suwala - Heidelberg, DE

    BTG-Y-ECI

    Heidelberg University Hospital

  • M. Geurts - Rotterdam, NL

    BTG-Y-ECI

    Erasmus MC

Committees Chairs & Members - Quality Assurance

  • E. Razis - Athens, GR

    Chair

    Hygeia Hospital

  • P. Hau - Regensburg, DE

    Past Chair

    Universitaetskliniken Regensburg

  • N. Andratschke - Zurich, CH

    UniversitaetsSpital Zurich

  • F. De Vos - Utrecht, NL

    Universitair Medisch Centrum

  • F. Sahm - Heidelberg, DE

    UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg

  • P. Lohmann - Juelich, DE

    Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH

  • J. Gempt - Muenchen , DE

    Technische Universitaet Muenchen - Klinikum Rechts Der Isar

  • D. Generali - Cremona, IT

    Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona

  • M. Magiera - Wola Filipowska, PL

    Hania Magiera Glioma-Center foundation

  • M. Rasschaert - Edegem, BE

    Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen (UZA)

  • A. Fairchild - Edmonton Alberta, CA

    University of Alberta - Cross Cancer Institute

  • K. Niyazi - Muenchen, DE

    Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen - Campus Grosshadern

  • J. Daisne - Leuven, BE

    U.Z. Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg

  • A. Pellerino - Torino, IT

    BTG-Y-ECI

    Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Ospedale San Giovanni - Dipartimento Neuroscienze

Committees Chairs & Members - Quality of Life

  • L. Dirven - Leiden, NL

    Chair

    Leiden University Medical Centre

  • J. Koekkoek - Leiden , NL

    BTG-Y-ECI

    Leiden University Medical Centre

  • C. Panciroli - Barcelona, ES

    Institut Catalá d’Oncologia (ICO Badalona) – Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol

  • C. Seidel - Leipzig, DE

    Universitaetsklinikum Leipzig

  • C. Happold-Hertler - Zurich, CH

    Universitätsspital Zürich

  • K. Oliver - Tadworth, GB

    International Brain Tumour Alliance, IBTA

  • P. Clement - Leuven, BE

    U.Z. Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg

  • A. Pace - Rome, IT

    IRCC Regina Elena national Cancer Center

  • M. Renovanz - Tuebingen, DE

    Univ. Kliniken Tuebingen, Crona kliniken

  • M. Van der Meulen - Twente, NL

    Medisch Spectrum Twente

Committees Chairs & Members - Imaging

  • M. Smits - Rotterdam, NL

    Chair, Imaging Group liaison

    Erasmus MC Cancer Institute

  • I. Compter - Maastricht , NL

    Imaging Group representative

    Maastro Clinic - Maastricht Radiation Oncology

  • J. Gempt - Muenchen , DE

    Imaging Group representative

    Technische Universitaet Muenchen - Klinikum Rechts Der Isar

  • E. Franceschi - Bologna, IT

    Ospedale Bellaria

  • J. Furtner - Vienna , AT

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

  • N. Galldiks - Koeln, DE

    Universitaetsklinikum Koeln

  • P. Vollmuth - Heidelberg, DE

    UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg

  • S. Lukacova - Aarhus , DK

    Aarhus University Hospital

  • T. Snijders - Utrecht, NL

    Universitair Medisch Centrum - Academisch Ziekenhuis

  • E. Tabouret - Marseille, FR

    Hopital de La Timone (APHM)

  • F. Cicone - , IT

    Mater Domini Univ. Hospital

  • P. Lohmann - Juelich, DE

    Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH

Committees Chairs & Members - Meningioma

  • M. Preusser - Vienna, AT

    Chair

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

  • E. Le Rhun - Zurich, CH

    University Hospital Zurich, Department of Neurology

  • F. Sahm - Heidelberg, DE

    UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg

  • J. Furtner - Vienna , AT

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

  • C. Mawrin - Magdeburg, DE

    Otto-Von-Guericke-Universitaet

  • H. Wirsching - Zurich , CH

    UniversitaetsSpital Zurich

  • R. Goldbrunner - Koeln, DE

    Universitaetsklinikum Koeln

  • G. Minniti - Siena, IT

    Universita Degli Studi Di Siena - Policlinico "le Scotte"

  • M. Jenkinson - Liverpool, GB

    The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

  • D. Weber - Villigen, CH

    Paul Scherrer Institute - Center for Proton Therapy (CPT)

  • E. Tabouret - Marseille, FR

    Hopital de La Timone (APHM)

  • J. Duerinck - Brussels, BE

    Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

Committees Chairs & Members - CNS metastasis

  • E. Le Rhun - Zurich, CH

    Chair

    University Hospital Zurich, Department of Neurology

  • M. Bendszus - Heidelberg, DE

    UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg

  • D. Brandsma - Amsterdam, NL

    The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni Van Leeuwenhoekziekenhuis

  • F. Dhermain - Villejuif, FR

    Gustave Roussy

  • M. Preusser - Vienna, AT

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

  • R. Soffietti - Torino, IT

    Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino

  • J. Tonn - Muenchen, DE

    Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen

  • P. Wesseling - Amsterdam, NL

    Amsterdam UMC- Laboratories

  • F. Winkler - Heidelberg, DE

    UniversitaetsKlinikum Heidelberg

  • N. Galldiks - Koeln, DE

    Universitaetsklinikum Koeln

  • G. Minniti - Siena, IT

    Universita Degli Studi Di Siena - Policlinico "le Scotte"

  • M. Weller - Zurich, CH

    Universitätsspital Zürich

  • L. von Baumgarten - Muenchen, DE

    Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen - Campus Grosshadern

  • G. Lombardi - Padova, IT

    YNO

    IRCCS - Istituto Oncologico Veneto

  • J. Koekkoek - Leiden , NL

    YNO

    Leiden University Medical Centre

  • J. Jongen - Rotterdam, NL

    Erasmus Medisch Centrum

  • A. Pellerino - Torino, IT

    YNO

    Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino - Ospedale San Giovanni - Dipartimento Neuroscienze

Radiotherapy Committee

  • G. Minniti - Siena, IT

    Universita Degli Studi Di Siena - Policlinico "le Scotte"

  • S. Lukacova - Aarhus , DK

    Aarhus University Hospital

  • D. Weber - Villigen, CH

    Paul Scherrer Institute - Center for Proton Therapy (CPT)

  • K. Niyazi - Muenchen, DE

    Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen - Campus Grosshadern

  • T. Kazda - Brno, CZ

    Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute

  • L. Dirven - Leiden, NL

    Leiden University Medical Centre

  • J. Furtner - Vienna , AT

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

  • A. Chalmers - , GB

    NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde - Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre - Gartnavel General Hospital

  • F. Pessina - Milano, IT

    Istituto Clinico Humanitas

  • L. Fariselli - Milano, IT

    IRCCS - Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta

  • D. Eekers - Maastricht, NL

    Maastro Clinic - Maastricht Radiation Oncology

  • M. Preusser - Vienna, AT

    Medical University Vienna - General Hospital AKH

  • J. Willmann - Brussels, BE

    EORTC Headquarters

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