During Glioblastoma (GBM) Awareness Week, we are proud to announce that research at one of our Centres of Excellence has led to a breakthrough discovery regarding glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumours, which could lead the way to new treatments to combat the disease.
A study undertaken at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London has revealed that a gene known as METTL7B is essential in regulating the growth of GBM tumours.
Dr Myrianni Constantinou (below), a Brain Tumour Research-funded scientist, found that the gene is overactive in GBM tumours but when the gene was silenced, the resultant tumours were significantly smaller. The tumour cells however travelled more into the surrounding areas of the brain making the tumour more invasive.
Professor Silvia Marino, who leads the team at Queen Mary, explains why this is significant: “The METTL7B gene has already been found to be overactive in a number of cancers, including low-grade glioma where it is associated with a poorer prognosis for patients. This new research is significant because it has increased our understanding of how GBM tumours grow and behave and could provide researchers with a new way of treating these tumours.
“It has opened the way for research into a new potential combination therapy, using two types of drug; one to slow tumour growth and one to target invasiveness, which may result in smaller, less aggressive tumours.”
The news was welcomed by GBM patient Hannah King-Page (above with husband Andrew) who was diagnosed in 2020. She said: "It’s great to think that one day there will be a wider range of treatments for GBM in the UK with personalisation rather than ‘the one size fits all’ approach at present. Having had the opportunity to visit the lab at Queen Mary last week and meet some of the neuroscientists who work there, it was an incredible insight into the big science behind the research - and a big reason why I support the charity and its vital work for brain tumour patients.”
Research like this is only possible with your support. By making a one-off or regular donation, taking on a fundraising challenge or campaigning with us, you can help to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.
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