Painkiller Gabapentin Boosts Survival in Glioblastoma Patients, Study Reveals

Glioblastoma, the most ferocious form of brain cancer, is notorious for its grim outlook, but a surprising discovery suggests a common painkiller might offer a glimmer of hope. Researchers at Mass General Brigham have uncovered that gabapentin, a drug typically used for nerve pain and seizures, could extend survival for those battling this relentless disease.

In a study published in Nature Communications, scientists analyzed nearly 700 glioblastoma patients and found those taking gabapentin lived an average of four months longer—16 months compared to 12—than those who didn’t. A follow-up with 379 patients at the University of California, San Francisco, showed an even stronger effect: 20.8 months of survival for gabapentin users versus 14.7 for others. That’s no small feat for a disease that claims around 14,500 American lives annually, with a five-year survival rate of just 6.9%.

The findings, sparked by earlier mouse studies hinting at gabapentin’s tumor-targeting potential, also revealed lower levels of a protein called TSP-1 in patients taking the drug—a clue that might serve as a biomarker but needs more digging. Lead researcher Joshua Bernstock, MD, PhD, called the survival boost 'statistically significant' and a step toward rethinking how we tackle glioblastoma’s complex biology.

Approved by the FDA in 1993 for seizures and later for nerve pain, gabapentin is no stranger to medicine cabinets, though it comes with side effects like fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. While these results are promising, the study’s retrospective nature means it’s not time to rewrite the prescription pad just yet. Controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm whether gabapentin truly shifts the odds against this brutal cancer.