SURG-50. Repetitive brain tumour biopsy in high-grade gliomas: patients’ perspective on acceptability and research

Abstract Background. Initial and repetitive tissue sampling is crucial for understanding resistance mechanisms and vulnerabilities in brain tumour therapy. However, normalising neoadjuvant and staged surgical trials requires collaboration between patients, clinicians, and researchers. This study aimed to survey patients’ perspectives on repetitive brain tumour sampling. Methods. A prospective cohort, cross-sectional survey and structured interview were administered to adult patients (aged>16 years) with a high-grade glioma. 20 patients were recruited from the outpatient neurosurgery clinic at the time of diagnosis (post-operative group) and 20 patients from the oncology clinic after completion of chemoradiotherapy (post-treatment group). Post-operative patients were surveyed again after completion of chemoradiotherapy, with no loss to follow-up. Results. 40 patients (20 females) were recruited with a mean (SD) age of 54 (12) years. Overall, 34/40 (85%) and 36/40 (90%) were interested in contributing to brain tumour research, even if it did not affect their treatment or if it would provide them access to additional treatment, respectively. At recruitment, post-treatment patients were more willing to agree undergo an initial biopsy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy or after completing chemoradiotherapy (17/20 (85%) and 13/20 (65%), respectively) compared to post-operative patients (12/20 (60%) and 8/20 (40%), respectively). Amongst post-operative patients, hesitancy to undergo a biopsy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (5/20, 25%) is due to wanting to receive more clinical information, and reluctance to undergo a biopsy after chemoradiotherapy was due to uncertainty in how they would feel after treatment completion (12/20, 60%). At follow-up after completion of chemoradiotherapy, post-operative patients reported they felt better than they had anticipated: accordingly, 17/20 (85%) of these patients would have considered both an initial diagnostic and post-chemoradiotherapy biopsy. Overall, 34/40 (85%) and 30/40 (75%) patients would be willing to undergo an initial biopsy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy or after completing chemoradiotherapy, respectively. Conclusion. With high levels of patients’ willingness to contribute to research, repetitive tumour biopsy is a viable option for future trials.