A new study has shown that artificial intelligence can identify a specific genetic mutation in a glioma tumour simply by examining 3D images of the brain with more than 97% accuracy. Such technology could eliminate the need for pre-treatment surgery in which glioma samples are taken and analysed to choose an appropriate therapy. Essentially this means that in the future brain tumour patients may not need to have surgery to determine their best treatment option.
Novocure is an expensive clinical option for some GBM patients but is not generally available in the UK however according to this article the growth of Novocure’s brain tumour treatment is only just starting and the piece is helpful in explaining this innovative medical intervention from an industry perspective.
In further industry news, this time from Australia, a cannabinoid formulation has resulted in improved treatment of the most aggressive brain cancers.
This is a relevant but highly scientific study that looks at GBM and its uncontrollable proliferation and diffuse infiltration within the brain which allows it to invade regions of brain that have an intact blood-brain barrier (BBB), enabling them to proliferate in an environment protected from potentially effective therapeutics. The search is on for a therapeutic that targets both proliferation and invasion, but also penetrates the BBB and is retained within the tumour-infiltrated brain long enough to kill tumour cells when they are vulnerable to the drug.
Astrocytomas are the most common type of glioma in both adults and children but what do we know about astrocytes? Find out about how astrocytes are key to learning and memory.
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