Experimental Study Paves the Way for Protecting Brain from Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) have made significant progress in finding a new way to protect the brain from cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Led by Munjal Acharya, PhD, the team identified a targeted approach to block the neuro-inflammatory effects of radiation therapy for brain cancer, which can cause irreversible cognitive decline in up to 70% of survivors. Their study, published in Cancer Research, found that inhibiting the C5aR1 pathway in the brain protected memory and cognition from the harmful effects of radiation therapy. The researchers used a transgenic mouse model and a pharmacological approach with the drug PMX205, which has already been proven safe in human trials for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Key Takeaways:

• The study identified a new targeted way to protect the brain from cancer-related cognitive impairment caused by radiation therapy.
• Up to 70% of cancer survivors experience trouble with memory and concentration due to cancer-related cognitive impairment.
• Researchers used a transgenic mouse model and a pharmacological approach with the drug PMX205 to block the C5aR1 pathway in the brain.
• Inhibiting the C5aR1 pathway protected memory and cognition from the neuro-inflammatory effects of radiation therapy.
• The approach did not compromise the cancer-killing ability of radiation therapy.
• The study was published in Cancer Research, a flagship journal for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
• The researchers plan to test the C5aR1 inhibitor PMX205 in more clinically relevant brain cancer models and radiation therapy regimens.

Statistics:

• Up to 70% of cancer survivors experience trouble with memory and concentration due to cancer-related cognitive impairment.
• The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Brain Tumor Association, Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, and University of California Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• The UC Irvine School of Medicine educates more than 500 medical students and over 180 PhD and MS students each year.
• Nearly 900 residents and fellows are trained at the UCI Medical Center and affiliated institutions.

Sources:

• "C5aR1 Inhibition Alleviates Cranial Radiation-Induced Cognitive Decline," Cancer Research (2025)
• National Institutes of Health
• American Brain Tumor Association
• Health and Environmental Sciences Institute
• University of California Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
• University of California, Irvine