Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive cancer that starts in brain cells called glial cells and quickly grows out of control. It is the fastest-growing type of brain tumor and can spread throughout the brain and into other parts of the body.
GBM is an invasive and inoperable brain tumor that cannot be removed completely, but treatments can relieve symptoms, keep you comfortable, and prolong your life. Clinical trials are ongoing to find new ways to treat this disease and improve outcomes. Your healthcare provider can help you find a study that may be right for you.
What is anti-GBM disease?
Anti-GBM disease occurs when autoantibodies attack and damage small blood vessels (capillaries) in the kidneys or lungs. These autoantibodies are directed against the basement membrane, a protein that is part of the wall of capillary blood vessels. The capillaries are located in tiny areas of the kidneys called glomeruli. When the capillaries are healthy, the glomeruli filter the blood and make urine. Water, electrolytes, and other smaller molecules pass through the capillaries into the urine; bigger proteins such as red blood cells and plasma stay in the blood.
In anti-GBM disease, the basement membrane in the glomeruli is damaged by the autoantibodies and white blood cells that attack it. This causes the glomeruli to swell and form large, painful bumps on the kidneys called nephrons. The capillaries in the lungs are also attacked, and the disease can cause the lungs to bleed. In some cases, the disease affects only the kidneys or both lungs. When only the kidneys are affected, the condition is called anti-GBM glomerulonephritis; when both the lungs and the kidneys are involved, it is usually called Goodpasture’s syndrome or Goodpasture’s disease.
A doctor can diagnose anti-GBM disease with imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans, and blood work. These tests check for signs of inflammation or bleeding in the lungs or kidneys. The doctor can also test for the presence of the antibodies that cause the disease.
If the lungs are involved, treatment can include oxygen therapy to keep levels high, and in some cases, a breathing tube is needed temporarily. If the kidneys are involved, a dialysis machine will remove the waste products from the blood. Kidney function is closely monitored. In severe cases, the disease can lead to organ failure and need for a kidney transplant.
There is no cure for GBM. However, treatments can relieve symptoms and prolong your life. Clinical trials are continuing to find new ways to treat this disease and reduce the risk of recurrence. Your healthcare provider can help you find if a clinical trial is right for you. For example, researchers are studying a drug that targets certain changes in cancer cell genes to prevent GBM from growing. The prognosis for GBM depends on a number of factors, including how quickly it grows, your age, and whether the tumor is IDH mutant or wild type.
