Advancing Glioblastoma Supportive Care: Closing the Caregiver Gap

Glioblastoma (GBM) is devastating both in prognosis and in patient impact. Differing from other solid tumors, GBM produces significant, often rapid, neurologic decline necessitating intense caregiving. This care usually falls to an intimate partner or family member. Early studies in GBM patient–caregiver dyads confirm substantial caregiver needs. Most caregivers report significant distress, with nearly 40% reporting depression and anxiety. Educational initiatives, early palliative care, and psychotherapy have increased caregiver preparedness. However, current healthcare delivery is organized primarily around the patient, and few systems offer caregiver-specific interventions. Early evidence suggests that focused efforts to improve caregiver quality of life may improve patient survival and healthcare utilization, incentivizing the healthcare team to further investigate how to best support the patient–caregiver dyad. The literature in other tumor types suggests dyad-based interventions may also reduce distress more effectively than caregiver or patient-based interventions alone. Further research is needed to design an optimal supportive-care model for GBM dyads. Across each stage of the disease course (from diagnosis and treatment to surveillance, progression, and bereavement), the needs of the dyad are dynamic. This requires targeted and adaptive interventions such as nurse-led navigation, structured education, anticipatory guidance, and clinical supportive-care programs or clinical trials aimed at improving dyadic physical and psychological well-being at different time points during the disease course. Ultimately, future studies evaluating caregiver support in GBM are needed and should assess not only psychological benefits and patient survival, but also programmatic implementation, clinical trial participation, and healthcare utilization efficiency.