New Breakthrough in Glioblastoma Research Offers Hope for Treatment

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University College London Cancer Institute, funded by Cancer Research UK, have made a groundbreaking discovery in the early stages of glioblastoma growth. The study, published in Nature on 20 August, sheds light on how glioblastomas spread and how they can be potentially treated. The team, led by Professor Simona Parrinello, found that glioblastomas damage parts of nerve cells called axons, which triggers inflammation and fuels tumour growth. By targeting the protein SARM1, which destroys damaged axons, the researchers were able to keep the tumours in a less aggressive state and preserve brain function for longer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study reveals a new way to delay or prevent glioblastomas from progressing to a more advanced state.
  • The researchers found that glioblastomas damage parts of nerve cells called axons, triggering inflammation and fuelling tumour growth.
  • By targeting the protein SARM1, which destroys damaged axons, the researchers were able to keep the tumours in a less aggressive state and preserve brain function for longer.
  • The drugs used to target SARM1 are already being developed for early phase clinical trials into other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and motor neuron disease (MND).
  • Glioblastomas are the most common form of brain cancer, with about 3,000 people diagnosed in the UK each year.
  • The average survival time after diagnosis is about 12-18 months, and standard treatment (a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) hasn't changed in decades.
  • Professor Parrinello's team was funded by Cancer Research UK and The Brain Tumour Charity, and their research was inspired by Oli Hilsdon's story of coping with glioblastoma despite a prognosis of less than 12 months to live.

Statistics:

  • 3,000 people diagnosed with glioblastoma in the UK each year (Source: [Unknown])
  • Average survival time after diagnosis: 12-18 months (Source: [Unknown])
  • £1.5m pledged by The Oli Hilsdon Foundation to fund Professor Parrinello's research (Source: [Unknown])
  • Number of years standard treatment for glioblastoma has remained unchanged: decades (Source: [Unknown])

Sources:

  • University College London Cancer Institute
  • Cancer Research UK
  • The Brain Tumour Charity
  • "Axonal injury is a targetable driver of glioblastoma progression" (published in Nature on 20 August)