A Relentless Fight: The Latest in Brain Cancer Research

GBM Treatment with Implantable Device (SonoCloud-9) Boosts Immune

System Response to Cancer Cells

During my trip to Florida in 2022 to attend the Annual Meeting for the Society of Neuro-Oncology (SNO22), I learned about a device called SonoCloud-9. It is a device which would deliver ultrasound to the brain, which, in conjunction with the injection of microbubbles, would result in molecular processes that will temporarily open the blood-brain barrier and allow the penetration of chemotherapy drugs. It was shown that this method is effective in delivering chemotherapy drugs into large regions of the brain and that this procedure can be performed repeatedly and safely. Fast-forward to 2024, scientists from Northwestern University have shown for the first time, that this device can enhance the penetration of a novel immunotherapy treatment combination: the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin and immune checkpoint blockade antibodies. Furthermore, this combination can enable the immune system to better recognize and attack GBM cells. Excitedly, these results are the basis for a novel clinical trial that was just launched at Northwestern using the ultrasound to deliver the immunotherapy for glioblastoma.

Understanding DIPG Tumour Treatment Resistance

DIPG is a deadly pediatric brain tumour with a 0% survival rate. Researchers at the University of Michigan wanted to know how it’s driver, the H3K27M histone mutation influenced the tumours metabolism and radiation resistance. Purine metabolism was determined to be a key player and previous studies have examined its role in GBM. Since, it has been learned that DIPG tumours rely on two routes to make purines. Unlike GBM tumours where one route is blocked, thus making it easier to block purine metabolism, DIPG has two open routes. Treatment usually only blocks one route, thus making it more difficult to control purine metabolism in DIPG tumours. Researchers agreed that better understanding how these tumors evade treatment means that they will be better equipped to treating them with different methods (e.g., gene silencing).

New Surgical Platform Informs Tumour Treatment

Time is of utmost importance when dealing with aggressive brain tumours. In a study involving more than 240 small tissue biopsies from patients undergoing asleep and awake glioma brain surgery; an additional 137 biopsies, researchers report on a novel surgical platform used during surgery that quickly aids decision-making in tumour treatment. The platform uses mass spectrometry to identify IDH mutations, in real time. This information is crucial as it allows doctors to treat the patient locally before theyleave the room, beginning the fight before radiation therapy and chemotherapy have even begun.

References

Ultrasound-mediated delivery of doxorubicin to the brain results in immune modulation and improved responses to PD-1 blockade in gliomas | Nature Communications

Purine salvage promotes treatment resistance in H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma | Cancer & Metabolism | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

Rapid detection of IDH mutations in gliomas by intraoperative mass spectrometry | PNAS

Disclaimer: Information in this article is sourced from published articles; readers are advised to independently verify facts. Opinions expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. If you experience symptoms related to brain cancer, consult with a medical professional for personalised advice and guidance.