Oct. 07, 2025
Mayo Clinic's neuro-oncology care team is exploring the use of telehealth and remote assessments to lessen patients' need to travel. That care can include innovative as well as standard therapies for brain tumors.
"We are building a service line where interventions can happen with minimal travel to Mayo Clinic," says Ugur T. Sener, M.D., a neuro-oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "Patients can be seen in person only when necessary while still testing experimental therapies. We're always looking for ways to make care easier and more accessible."
As a global leader in neurology, neurosurgery and cancer care, Mayo Clinic often can offer treatment options that other centers can't. Physician-scientists conduct multiple studies assessing patients' response to those treatments.
"For some studies, people can participate from home," Dr. Sener says. "Our patients may be very sick or live far away, making traveling for in-person visits difficult. Patients also can participate in these studies while continuing care with their local providers, in partnership with Mayo Clinic physicians and the study team."
Accessible care epitomizes Mayo Clinic's patient-centric approach. Multidisciplinary expertise and cutting-edge technology help provide accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment for even the rarest types of brain tumors. "A neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist and neuro-oncologist will be involved in every single patient's care," Dr. Sener says. "Even our pathologists and radiologists are specialized in brain and central nervous system tumors. Everyone involved has dedicated expertise."
Efficient diagnosis and compassionate care
Mayo Clinic offers coordinated, multidisciplinary appointments that bring together neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists and radiation specialists — sometimes all in a single visit. The scheduling team works to minimize delays. "Our focus is on removing barriers and providing answers as soon as possible," Dr. Sener says.
Assessing patients' response to treatment is key to optimal care. Frequent in-person visits impose burdens on many patients. "We are conducting multiple decentralized clinical studies to bring that care close to patients' homes," Dr. Sener says.
One study focuses on the feasibility of remotely assessing the cognitive status of patients who have, or previously have had, cranial radiation. Though it's an essential component of brain tumor treatment, cranial radiation can negatively affect cognition. The effects might be reduced by the use of metformin and the promotion of physical activity.
The study uses Mayo Test Drive, a web-based platform for remote, self-administered assessments. Participants are divided into two groups, with one group receiving metformin and the other receiving standard of care. All participants have neurocognitive testing and use a wearable device to monitor health.
"This study has already shown that decentralized clinical trials are possible in this patient population," Dr. Sener says. "The entire study participation can happen remotely, using remote consenting and phlebotomy, telehealth and device-based assessments, and mail-order drug delivery."
A separate study compares patient satisfaction with telehealth versus in-person neuro-oncology evaluations among patients with glioma receiving oral chemotherapy. Glioma care at high-volume centers is associated with better survival. But many patients lack access to these centers.
"We have already demonstrated that home assessments are safe, and patients aren't reporting a difference in satisfaction," Dr. Sener says.
As a result, Mayo Clinic launched an additional study to evaluate the feasibility of remote chemotherapy management for patients with glioma. The study uses a patient monitoring platform — known as Glioma Home-Based Sequential Therapy (GHoST) — developed at Mayo Clinic.
"GHoST provides patients with continuous access to their care teams in the home setting," Dr. Sener says. "A digital platform may increase study participation and speed the development of novel therapeutics, while addressing the disparities in access for patients with glioma."
The study initially will test standard therapies but quickly move toward testing novel drugs. "Our goal is to rapidly test new treatments and do so as much as possible in the home setting," Dr. Sener says. "Our team is very comfortable with these novel therapies that can offer patients more hope."
For more information
Mayo Clinic. Remote cognitive assessment and wearable device while assessing the impact of metformin in patients with a history of cranial radiation therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov.
Mayo Clinic. Comparing telehealth and in-person assessments in glioma patients receiving oral chemotherapy. ClinicalTrials.gov.
Mayo Clinic. A digital treatment platform for the delivery of home-based sequential therapy in patients with glioma. ClinicalTrials.gov.
Refer a patient to Mayo Clinic.