Keywords: Glioblastoma, heterogeneity, organoids, radiomics
 

"Tumor heterogeneity in glioblastoma: A real-life brain teaser"

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor which currently cannot be treated. Tumor heterogeneity – the occurrence of different groups of tumor cells within one tumor, is an important factor in the poor prognosis of GBM patients. These different groups of tumor cells all have different properties and therefore a different response towards treatment.

This thesis investigated methods to study tumor heterogeneity. GBM organoids, a pre-clinical model in which the tumor tissue of a patient is cultured in 3D, proved to preserve tumor heterogeneity and was also suitable to test the response towards treatment. Additionally, the usage of computer-based analysis of MRI images was tested. By combining clinical data with specific MRI characteristics a prognostic model for GBM was developed.

The methods studied in this thesis form the basis for additional research towards tumor heterogeneity in GBM with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

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