Case report: Regression of Glioblastoma after flavivirus infection

Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Jun 1:10:1192070. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1192070. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Glioblastoma is the most frequent and aggressive primary brain cancer. In preclinical studies, Zika virus, a flavivirus that triggers the death of glioblastoma stem-like cells. However, the flavivirus oncolytic activity has not been demonstrated in human patients. Here we report a glioblastoma patient who received the standard of care therapy, including surgical resection, radiotherapy and temozolomide. However, shortly after the tumor mass resection, the patient was clinically diagnosed with a typical arbovirus-like infection, during a Zika virus outbreak in Brazil. Following the infection resolution, the glioblastoma regressed, and no recurrence was observed. This clinical response continues 6 years after the glioblastoma initial diagnosis.

Keywords: DENV; ZIKV; flavivirus; glioblastoma; immunovirotherapy; oncolytic virus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports