Among the many things families research after a glioblastoma diagnosis, clinical trials often rise to the top of the list. Julie Crawshay, founder of The Neuro Farmacist, has a personal connection to this area: in 2024 she ran the TCS Sydney Marathon for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, raising funds in support of the GBM AGILE clinical trial. Through The Neuro Farmacist, Julie Crawshay helps families understand what GBM AGILE is and why it matters.

What makes GBM AGILE different

Julie Crawshay celebrating with her extended family in Sydney, Australia
Julie Crawshay celebrating with her extended family in Sydney, Australia

GBM AGILE is an adaptive platform trial. That phrase has two important parts. "Platform" means it is designed to test multiple potential treatments under one overarching framework, rather than running many separate, slow trials. "Adaptive" means the trial can learn as it goes — using accumulating data to adjust how participants are assigned, so that promising approaches can be identified more efficiently. This design is intended to make the search for better glioblastoma treatments faster and more flexible.

Why an adaptive design matters for GBM

Traditional clinical trials can take many years and test one therapy at a time. For an aggressive cancer like glioblastoma, that pace can feel painfully slow. An adaptive platform trial aims to streamline the process by allowing different therapies to enter and exit the trial framework over time. Research and advocacy organisations have championed this model as a more efficient way to evaluate new ideas. Julie Crawshay highlights it because it represents a hopeful, collaborative direction in GBM research.

How families can learn about eligibility

Whether a specific trial is appropriate for any individual depends on many factors, including tumour characteristics, prior treatments, and overall health. The best path is to ask your neuro-oncologist directly whether a trial like GBM AGILE may be relevant, and when. Many neuro-oncologists recommend discussing trial options early, since timing can affect eligibility. For more on this, see our post on clinical trials 101 for GBM families.

The role of advocacy and fundraising

Trials like GBM AGILE are supported in part by foundations and community fundraising. Julie Crawshay's 2024 marathon for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is one example of how families and supporters contribute to the research ecosystem. You can read more about her work and the broader mission on Instagram and Substack.

Where to go from here

If clinical trials are something you want to explore, a good starting point is the free GBM Caregiver's Resource Guide from Julie Crawshay, which helps families organise their questions. Understanding what a trial like GBM AGILE is — and that such innovative research exists — can be a genuine source of hope during a difficult time.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Trial eligibility and suitability must be determined with your qualified medical team.