New Therapy Could Target One of the Deadliest Brain Cancers
Summary
Scientists have developed a new experimental treatment for glioblastoma, a very deadly brain cancer, by targeting a protein called GPNMB found on both cancer cells and supportive immune cells. This approach aims to attack the tumor and its environment at the same time. The treatment has shown promising results in early lab tests but is still years away from patient use.Key Facts
- Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest brain cancers with most patients living 12 to 18 months after diagnosis.
- Only about 5% of glioblastoma patients survive beyond five years.
- Researchers found that glioblastoma tumors are made up of cancer cells plus other supporting cells that help the tumor grow.
- The team focused on a protein called GPNMB, present on both glioblastoma cells and immune cells called macrophages.
- They designed CAR-T cells (a type of immune therapy) to attack GPNMB wherever it appears, targeting both cancer and supportive cells.
- In preclinical tests on lab models, the therapy eliminated tumors and led to long-term survival without detectable disease.
- Researchers believe future treatments should address the whole tumor environment, not just cancer cells alone.
- The treatment is still experimental and has only been tested in preclinical models so far.
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