Defying the Odds in Recurrent Glioblastoma: Complete Response Following Salvage Therapy With Bevacizumab and Irinotecan – a Case Report Publisher



Yousefi A ; Saraee E ; Ghalehtaki R
Source: Case Reports in Oncology Published:2026

Abstract

Abstract – Introduction: The most formidable primary tumor in the central nervous system is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), distinguished by a median survival duration of just 12 months and recurrence likelihoods above 90% in less than 6 months following therapy. In spite of the implementation of multimodal treatment strategies, recurrent GBM (r-GBM) presents substantial therapeutic dilemmas, with the absence of a universally recognized standard of care. Case Presentation: In this discourse, we delineate the case of a 42-year-old male patient diagnosed with IDH-wild-type, MGMT-unmethylated, TERT promoter-mutated, and EGFR-amplified GBM, who manifested an early recurrence during adjuvant temozolomide therapy. Subsequent to maximal safe surgical resection and chemoradiation (60 Gy in conjunction with temozolomide), recurrence was identified through magnetic resonance imaging, necessitating the initiation of fractionated stereotactic re-irradiation (27 Gy over 5 fractions) in combination with bevacizumab (BEV) and temozolomide. Due to transient ischemic complications requiring dose adjustment, subsequent disease progression prompted a transition to irinotecan-BEV therapy. Conclusion: Our findings, contextualized within contemporary evidence on re-irradiation (stereotactic radiosurgery/fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy) and combinatorial strategies (BEV with lomustine or irinotecan), underscore the need for further empirical investigation to optimize treatment sequencing in r-GBM. This case emphasizes the necessity for individualized multimodal approaches to improve outcomes in this refractory patient population. © 2026 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel