Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, working with French colleagues, have successfully developed a method able to kill the aggressive brain tumor glioblastoma. By blocking certain functions in the cell with a docked molecule, the researchers cause the cancer to die of stress.
A “breakthrough” in the treatment of glioblastoma brain tumors
Cancer cells, especially those that form aggressive tumors, experience a significant amount of stress. To cope with this stress, cancer cells take over the mechanisms that healthy cells use to regulate protein production and process excess proteins. Without these hijacked mechanisms, cancer cells would not be able to survive. Leif Eriksson, professor of physical chemistry at the University of Gothenburg, announced a new method that inhibits these hijacked mechanisms utilized by cancer cells:
“We have now succeeded in stopping this hijacking by inserting a specially developed molecule in the cells that inhibits one of these hijacked adaptive mechanisms in the cancer cells. This causes the cancer to self-destruct.”
Leif Eriksson and his team collaborated with a research group at INSERM in Rennes, France to develop a groundbreaking version of a molecule. Through the use of supercomputers and advanced simulations, the team was able to create a variant that can pass through the protective blood-brain barrier and reach brain tissue. These findings have been published in the esteemed journal, iScience.
The breakthrough targets the treatment of glioblastoma brain tumors, which account for approximately 45% of all brain tumors. Unfortunately, the prognosis for those diagnosed with malignant glioblastomas is currently very poor, with only a small percentage of patients surviving beyond five years after receiving treatment.
“Today, cancer treatment consists of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, all cancer cells are not killed and the tumor returns. Once the cancer relapse, the tumor cells have often spread and developed resistance.”
Studying how it can be used with other cancers
Recent studies using the new method have yielded promising results. Researchers discovered that a combination treatment of the new substance and chemotherapy proved effective in completely eradicating tumors and preventing relapse. With this new treatment of cancer cells, all tumors disappeared, and in animal experiments involving mice, no cancer relapse occurred even after 200 days. In contrast, experiments with chemotherapy alone resulted in brain tumors relapsing after 100 days and growing rapidly.
“These are the first clear results with brain tumors that can lead to a treatment which completely avoids surgery and radiation. We have also begun studying the use of our substance on other aggressive tumor forms like pancreatic cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and certain lever cancers.”
There are other types of brain tumors that develop differently than glioblastomas. However, this new method is not effective for these types of cancer.
No adverse side effects from the cancer treatment
At present, the existing treatments for brain tumors frequently come with severe side effects. However, with this innovative treatment, the researchers have not observed any side effects from the substance yet. The animals that were treated maintained their weight, displayed no apparent changes in behavior, and exhibited no signs of liver damage. Although further in-depth studies are necessary, extensive cell tests indicate that the substance is non-toxic for healthy cells, even at very high dosages.
The research on this molecule will continue, with much work left to be done, including refining the treatment process and conducting more animal experiments. However, Leif Eriksson is optimistic and confident that the pharmaceutical can be quickly advanced into clinical treatment.
“If I’m optimistic, perhaps it might take five years. That’s a short timeframe, but at the same time glioblastomas are nearly 100 per cent fatal, so any improvement in medical care is major progress.”
Image Credits
In-Article Image Credits
Molecule Z4P inhibits mechanisms that regulate protein production in a cancer cell via Molecule image: X. Guillory, Photos from animal studies: D. Pelizzari-Raymundo with usage type - News Release MediaGliobastoma (astrocytoma) WHO grade IV - MRI sagittal view, post contrast. 15 year old boy via Wikimedia Commons with usage type - GNU Free. October 5, 2006
Featured Image Credit
Gliobastoma (astrocytoma) WHO grade IV - MRI sagittal view, post contrast. 15 year old boy via Wikimedia Commons with usage type - GNU Free. October 5, 2006
