A new study from our Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London has revealed results that could prove game-changing for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma tumours.
It’s a significant breakthrough for the 3,200 people in the UK each year who are diagnosed with a glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain tumour, which almost always returns, despite treatments including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Recurrent glioblastoma tumours often have a significantly different composition to the original, which means previously effective therapies have no impact, leaving patients with few options and little hope.
But using an innovative new technique that mimics the human treatment process in implanted human glioblastoma models, our team at Queen Mary, led by researchers Dr Sara Lucchini and Dr James G Nicholson, have been able to accurately replicate how glioblastoma tumours recur and evolve after treatment.
One of the most significant implications for brain tumour patients is that this study, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, paves the way for personalised medicine for recurrent tumours.
Centre Director Professor Silvia Marino (pictured top) said: “This innovative approach not only furthers our understanding of the biology of glioblastoma recurrence but also opens the door to personalised medicine. By analysing the genetic and molecular changes in the recurrent tumours, researchers may be able to identify patient-specific vulnerabilities. This means that in the future, treatments could be tailored to the unique characteristics of each patient's recurrent tumour, improving the chances of successful treatments when first-line therapy has failed.”
Using the new model, researchers identified a specific type of cell that becomes more prevalent when glioblastoma recurs. These cells, which are protected by tiny hair-like structures called cilia, are more resistant to treatment. But the team found that targeting these ciliated cells with a drug called Mebendazole – a readily available over-the-counter medication, commonly used for threadworm – could make them more sensitive to chemotherapy, potentially opening up a wider range of treatment options for patients.
This exciting development, which was highlighted as a notable ‘News & Views’ piece by EMBO journal editors, offers real hope to glioblastoma patients who have, until now, been left with no treatment options following a recurrence.
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