Decoding glioblastoma survival: unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational study

Abstract Introduction Olfactory impairment is common in glioblastoma and has been associated with unfavorable overall survival. However, prior studies were limited by imbalances in key prognostic factors and the absence of longitudinal olfactory assessments to evaluate treatment-related neurotoxicit...

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Main Authors: Christoph Oster, Aylin Matyar, Teresa Schmidt, Thomas Hummel, Elke Hattingen, Martha Jokisch, Daniel Jokisch, Jana Grieger, Giorgio Cappello, Kathrin Kizina, Lazaros Lazaridis, Yahya Ahmadipour, Laurèl Rauschenbach, Martin Stuschke, Christoph Pöttgen, Nika Guberina, Tobias Tertel, Bernd Giebel, Gian Luca Dreizner, Francesco Barbato, Eva-Maria Skoda, Björn Scheffler, Michael Müther, Ken Herrmann, Christoph Kleinschnitz, Ulrich Sure, Cornelius Deuschl, Martin Glas, Sied Kebir
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Neurological Research and Practice
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-025-00410-2
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author Christoph Oster
Aylin Matyar
Teresa Schmidt
Thomas Hummel
Elke Hattingen
Martha Jokisch
Daniel Jokisch
Jana Grieger
Giorgio Cappello
Kathrin Kizina
Lazaros Lazaridis
Yahya Ahmadipour
Laurèl Rauschenbach
Martin Stuschke
Christoph Pöttgen
Nika Guberina
Tobias Tertel
Bernd Giebel
Gian Luca Dreizner
Francesco Barbato
Eva-Maria Skoda
Björn Scheffler
Michael Müther
Ken Herrmann
Christoph Kleinschnitz
Ulrich Sure
Cornelius Deuschl
Martin Glas
Sied Kebir
author_facet Christoph Oster
Aylin Matyar
Teresa Schmidt
Thomas Hummel
Elke Hattingen
Martha Jokisch
Daniel Jokisch
Jana Grieger
Giorgio Cappello
Kathrin Kizina
Lazaros Lazaridis
Yahya Ahmadipour
Laurèl Rauschenbach
Martin Stuschke
Christoph Pöttgen
Nika Guberina
Tobias Tertel
Bernd Giebel
Gian Luca Dreizner
Francesco Barbato
Eva-Maria Skoda
Björn Scheffler
Michael Müther
Ken Herrmann
Christoph Kleinschnitz
Ulrich Sure
Cornelius Deuschl
Martin Glas
Sied Kebir
author_sort Christoph Oster
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Olfactory impairment is common in glioblastoma and has been associated with unfavorable overall survival. However, prior studies were limited by imbalances in key prognostic factors and the absence of longitudinal olfactory assessments to evaluate treatment-related neurotoxicity. The aim of the study is to determine whether olfactory function serves as an independent prognostic marker for survival, neurocognitive outcomes, and quality of life in glioblastoma. Methods Prospective, multicenter cohort study enrolling 64 glioblastoma patients and 64 matched healthy controls. Patients are stratified by extent of resection, O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase promoter methylation, radiographic involvement of olfactory regions, baseline olfactory status, age, and Karnofsky performance status. Olfactory function is assessed serially using Sniffin’ Sticks (identification and threshold tests) from diagnosis through treatment. Coronal T2- and T1-weighted MRI scans are reviewed independently by two blinded neuroradiologists to detect olfactory region involvement. Neurocognitive testing, psychosocial screening, and quality of life assessments are conducted at defined intervals. Next-generation sequencing from tumor tissue is employed to explore molecular underpinnings of hyposmia. Blood samples are collected in every study visit for potential parallel translational studies. Perspective This is the first longitudinal study evaluating olfactory function as a prognostic biomarker in glioblastoma. Findings may inform risk stratification, guide neuroprotective strategies, and improve survivorship care. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06954636, date of registration 04-16-2025 (retrospectively registered); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06954636?cond=glioblastoma&intr=olfactory&rank=1 .
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spelling doaj-art-45c2a7dc5377472ca0652d84be67310d2025-08-20T03:06:42ZengBMCNeurological Research and Practice2524-34892025-07-01711810.1186/s42466-025-00410-2Decoding glioblastoma survival: unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational studyChristoph Oster0Aylin Matyar1Teresa Schmidt2Thomas Hummel3Elke Hattingen4Martha Jokisch5Daniel Jokisch6Jana Grieger7Giorgio Cappello8Kathrin Kizina9Lazaros Lazaridis10Yahya Ahmadipour11Laurèl Rauschenbach12Martin Stuschke13Christoph Pöttgen14Nika Guberina15Tobias Tertel16Bernd Giebel17Gian Luca Dreizner18Francesco Barbato19Eva-Maria Skoda20Björn Scheffler21Michael Müther22Ken Herrmann23Christoph Kleinschnitz24Ulrich Sure25Cornelius Deuschl26Martin Glas27Sied Kebir28Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universität DresdenDepartment of Neuroradiology, Goethe University HospitalDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenGerman Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, a partnership between Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) and University Hospital Essen, Germany, DKFZ-Division Translational Neurooncology at the West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Radiotherapy, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Radiotherapy, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Radiotherapy, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenInstitute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenInstitute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital MünsterDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital EssenLVR University Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy Essen, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenGerman Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, a partnership between Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) and University Hospital Essen, Germany, DKFZ-Division Translational Neurooncology at the West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital MünsterDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenInstitute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), Division of Clinical Neuro-Oncology, University Medicine Essen, University Duisburg-EssenAbstract Introduction Olfactory impairment is common in glioblastoma and has been associated with unfavorable overall survival. However, prior studies were limited by imbalances in key prognostic factors and the absence of longitudinal olfactory assessments to evaluate treatment-related neurotoxicity. The aim of the study is to determine whether olfactory function serves as an independent prognostic marker for survival, neurocognitive outcomes, and quality of life in glioblastoma. Methods Prospective, multicenter cohort study enrolling 64 glioblastoma patients and 64 matched healthy controls. Patients are stratified by extent of resection, O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase promoter methylation, radiographic involvement of olfactory regions, baseline olfactory status, age, and Karnofsky performance status. Olfactory function is assessed serially using Sniffin’ Sticks (identification and threshold tests) from diagnosis through treatment. Coronal T2- and T1-weighted MRI scans are reviewed independently by two blinded neuroradiologists to detect olfactory region involvement. Neurocognitive testing, psychosocial screening, and quality of life assessments are conducted at defined intervals. Next-generation sequencing from tumor tissue is employed to explore molecular underpinnings of hyposmia. Blood samples are collected in every study visit for potential parallel translational studies. Perspective This is the first longitudinal study evaluating olfactory function as a prognostic biomarker in glioblastoma. Findings may inform risk stratification, guide neuroprotective strategies, and improve survivorship care. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06954636, date of registration 04-16-2025 (retrospectively registered); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06954636?cond=glioblastoma&intr=olfactory&rank=1 .https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-025-00410-2Olfactory dysfunctionGlioblastomaPrognosisThreshold testIdentification test
spellingShingle Christoph Oster
Aylin Matyar
Teresa Schmidt
Thomas Hummel
Elke Hattingen
Martha Jokisch
Daniel Jokisch
Jana Grieger
Giorgio Cappello
Kathrin Kizina
Lazaros Lazaridis
Yahya Ahmadipour
Laurèl Rauschenbach
Martin Stuschke
Christoph Pöttgen
Nika Guberina
Tobias Tertel
Bernd Giebel
Gian Luca Dreizner
Francesco Barbato
Eva-Maria Skoda
Björn Scheffler
Michael Müther
Ken Herrmann
Christoph Kleinschnitz
Ulrich Sure
Cornelius Deuschl
Martin Glas
Sied Kebir
Decoding glioblastoma survival: unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational study
Neurological Research and Practice
Olfactory dysfunction
Glioblastoma
Prognosis
Threshold test
Identification test
title Decoding glioblastoma survival: unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational study
title_full Decoding glioblastoma survival: unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational study
title_fullStr Decoding glioblastoma survival: unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational study
title_full_unstemmed Decoding glioblastoma survival: unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational study
title_short Decoding glioblastoma survival: unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational study
title_sort decoding glioblastoma survival unraveling the prognostic potential of olfactory function in a prospective observational study
topic Olfactory dysfunction
Glioblastoma
Prognosis
Threshold test
Identification test
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-025-00410-2
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