Low baseline temporal muscle thickness correlates with poorer survival in IDH-wildtype glioblastomaMuscle Thickness Linked to Survival in Glioblastoma Patients

Frontiers in Medicine Published November 5, 2026 Study authors: Xiaxuan Zhang, Quanbin Zhang, Yi Xu DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

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Key Takeaway

Note that low baseline temporal muscle thickness is associated with worse survival outcomes in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma.

This meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic value of baseline temporal muscle thickness (TMT) in 2,762 patients with newly diagnosed IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. The analysis focused on survival outcomes to determine if TMT serves as a viable indicator of disease progression and patient longevity.

The study found that low baseline TMT is associated with significantly poorer overall survival (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.38 to 2.37; p < 0.001) and progression-free survival (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.37 to 1.99; p < 0.001). Additionally, a meta-regression analysis identified mean age as a significant moderator for the association between low TMT and poor overall survival (coefficient, -0.064; 95% CI, -0.122 to -0.006; p = 0.03).

Authors noted substantial between-study heterogeneity for overall survival. While TMT may serve as a complementary prognostic marker, it is not established as an independent prognostic marker or a clinical utility tool. The findings suggest TMT may provide additional prognostic information but should be interpreted with caution due to the observed heterogeneity.

How this fits prior evidence

This finding adds a new physical metric to the landscape of glioblastoma biomarkers. While other covered evidence identifies molecular markers like SLC25A28 (HR, 1.91) and advanced technologies like scRNA-seq and spatial multi-omics to identify malignant cell states, this meta-analysis focuses on a morphological marker. It addresses a gap by providing a physical metric for prognosis, though it does not replace the established lack of durable benefit in immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Researchers analyzed data from 2,762 patients recently diagnosed with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. The study looked at the thickness of the temporal muscle, which is a muscle located in the jaw area. The goal was to see if this physical measurement could help predict how the disease progresses.

The results showed a link between muscle thickness and patient outcomes. Specifically, patients with lower muscle thickness at the start of their diagnosis had shorter overall survival and shorter progression-free survival. The study also found that the patient's age influenced how much muscle thickness affected these survival outcomes.

Because this was a meta-analysis of existing data, there was a lot of variation between the different studies included. While muscle thickness may serve as a helpful extra tool for doctors to understand a patient's outlook, it is not currently used as a primary tool for making treatment decisions. Patients should talk to their doctors about what these findings mean for their specific situation.

What this means for you:

Lower jaw muscle thickness is linked to poorer survival outcomes in some patients with glioblastoma.

Common questions

What is the temporal muscle and why does it matter?

The temporal muscle is a muscle located in the jaw area. This study looked at its thickness because researchers wanted to see if it could serve as a prognostic marker. This means they wanted to see if the thickness of this muscle could help predict how long a patient with glioblastoma might live or how long the disease would stay stable.

Who specifically was included in this study?

The study included 2,762 patients who were newly diagnosed with a specific type of brain tumor called IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. The researchers looked at their muscle thickness at the start of their diagnosis to see how it related to their overall survival and progression-free survival.

Does this mean muscle thickness causes better outcomes?

No, the study shows a link or association, not a cause. While lower muscle thickness was associated with poorer survival outcomes, it does not mean that the muscle itself causes the outcome. Because of the high variation between studies, it is not yet used as a primary tool for clinical decisions.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedNov 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Temporal muscle thickness (TMT), an imaging-based surrogate of skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenia, has emerged as a potential prognostic marker in glioblastoma. However, its prognostic value in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type (IDH-wt) glioblastoma remains uncertain. This meta-analysis evaluated the association between baseline TMT and survival outcomes in this population. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to June 9, 2026. Cohort studies evaluating baseline TMT in relation to overall survival (OS) and/or progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed IDH-wt glioblastoma were included. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects models accounting for the influence of potential heterogeneity. Twelve retrospective cohort studies involving 2,762 patients were included. Low baseline TMT was significantly associated with poorer OS (12 studies; HR, 1.81; 95% CI: 1.38 to 2.37; p < 0.001; I² = 81%) and PFS (4 studies; HR, 1.65; 95% CI: 1.37 to 1.99; p < 0.001; I² = 15%). The association with poorer OS remained significant across subgroups defined by geographic region, mean age, TMT cutoff method and value, follow-up duration, analytic model, MGMT methylation adjustment, and study quality, with no significant between-subgroup differences. Meta-regression identified mean age as a significant moderator (coefficient, −0.064; 95% CI, −0.122 to −0.006; p =0.03) for the association between low TMT and poor OS. Low baseline TMT is associated with poorer OS and PFS in patients with newly diagnosed IDH-wt glioblastoma, although substantial between-study heterogeneity for OS warrants cautious interpretation. TMT may serve as a complementary prognostic marker, but further prospective studies are needed to establish its independent prognostic and clinical utility. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD420261455834.

Low baseline temporal muscle thickness correlates with poorer survival in IDH-wildtype glioblastomaMuscle Thickness Linked to Survival in Glioblastoma Patients

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

Study Details

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