A promising breakthrough from researchers at our Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth could transform how we treat meningioma – the most common type of brain tumour.
Published today in eBioMedicine, the study has identified a protein called ANXA3 that drives growth of certain meningioma cells. By blocking ANXA3 in laboratory experiments, researchers were able to slow – and in some cases completely stop – tumour cell growth.
Professor Oliver Hanemann, Director of the Centre of Excellence (pictured above left), said: “Targeting ANXA3 may offer a more personalised approach to treating meningiomas in future, particularly for patients whose meningioma is a result of a mutation in a gene known as NF2, the most common cause of meningioma tumours. More laboratory research needs to take place before this treatment will reach patients, but it marks a first step towards a non-invasive and personalised treatment for meningioma patients.”
The research was carried out by Brain Tumour Research-funded scientists, including Maryam Shah (pictured below, and top right), who is currently completing her PhD, and Dr Yeasmin Akther (top centre) from the Institute of Cancer Research, both of whom equally contributed to the work, using tumour samples from the Plymouth biobank.
Meningioma affects 2,790 people in England each year. While most cases are low-grade and non-cancerous, they can still cause serious complications due to their location and size. The findings raise hopes of the development of less invasive treatments for patients with meningioma, who currently rely on surgery and radiotherapy.
One patient, Esme Morris, 48, a mum-of-three from Northampton, was left with a spinal condition and sensory loss after surgery for a meningioma discovered in June 2023 following an eye test.
“I never imagined my symptoms were linked to a brain tumour,” said Esme. “Greater awareness and less invasive treatment options can’t come soon enough. If future patients can be spared the kind of surgery I went through and the life-changing effects that followed, then this research brings hope — not just for treatment, but for better outcomes and quality of life.”
Dr Karen Noble, our Director of Research, Policy and Innovation, added: “This breakthrough is a powerful example of the progress we can make with sustained investment in research. It offers real promise for transforming how we treat meningiomas and gives fresh hope to thousands of patients. The work being done by our Centre of Excellence at Plymouth is world-leading, and now is the time to build on this momentum.”
