Scientists develop new method for treating aggressive brain cancer

Scientists at the University of Sydney have modified immune cells in people with glioblastoma (a type of brain tumor) to increase their ability to attack cancer cells, Report informs.

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive and lethal brain cancer with an average survival time of 12 to 18 months. Only 25% of patients survive more than one year and less than 5% survive more than 3 years.

The new publication shares the experimental treatment given to a patient diagnosed with glioblastoma.

The basis of the new treatment method is CAR-T therapy. This technology is based on the removal of immune system cells (T-lymphocytes) from the body, genetic modification to give them anti-tumor properties, and then injecting them into the patient.

Although CAR-T therapy is already used to treat blood cancers, it has not yet shown good results in treating solid tumors such as glioblastoma. This is because these tumors are made up of cells with different mutations, while CAR-T therapy usually fights only one type of mutation.

The new approach involves combining CAR-T therapy with the use of immune T-cells. This allows the body to attack the EGFR protein, which is characteristic of most types of glioblastoma.

As part of the experiment, six patients were injected with the drug into the cerebrospinal fluid that washes the brain. This led to a rapid decrease in the size of the tumor in some patients. Only one participant had the disease return and repeated treatment did not work.

Scientists hope that further research and clinical trials will be able to determine the effectiveness of the method