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3mo ago

Gabapentin Shows Potential to Extend Survival in Glioblastoma Patients

Retrospective studies link gabapentin use to a 4–6 month survival advantage in over 1,000 patients, highlighting the need for randomized clinical trials.

Many of the patients were already taking gabapentin for reasons that typically centered on nerve pain. Credit: Neuroscience News
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Overview

  • Researchers at Mass General Brigham and UCSF found that glioblastoma patients taking gabapentin lived 4–6 months longer than non-users in two retrospective cohorts.
  • The combined analysis of 1,072 patients revealed survival benefits of 16 months versus 12 months at Mass General Brigham and 20.8 months versus 14.7 months at UCSF.
  • Gabapentin was associated with reduced levels of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a protein linked to tumor-neuron interactions that promote glioblastoma growth.
  • Preclinical models suggest gabapentin disrupts TSP-1 mediated signaling, slowing tumor progression, but clinical mechanisms remain under investigation.
  • While findings are promising, researchers emphasize the need for randomized trials to confirm efficacy and explore gabapentin's therapeutic role in glioblastoma care.