Help us explain cutting-edge brain cancer research for glioblastoma (GBM)

Nazar Vasyliv, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Neurosurgery, is working on making complex glioblastoma research more accessible to patients and families.

What's the research about? Scientists are testing a promising light-based treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) for glioblastoma. During surgery, patients receive a special drug that makes cancer cells glow under blue light, helping surgeons see and remove the tumour more precisely.

The exciting part? The same light can also activate the drug to destroy remaining cancer cells - especially the stubborn "stem cells" that usually survive standard treatments and cause the cancer to return. This research shows PDT can trigger these resistant cells to self-destruct in a way that might even alert the immune system to attack any leftover cancer.

Why he needs your help Nazar wants to create clear, helpful resources explaining this research to patients, but needs your insights. Would you be interested in joining a friendly focus group discussion to share your thoughts on how best to communicate this science?

Who can take part? Anyone affected by glioblastoma – anyone living with a GBM who'd like to help shape how we explain new treatments.

Interested? Please register. We'd love to hear your thoughts.