Exciting Breakthrough in Glioblastoma Treatment Promises to Extend Life for Patients

Glioblastoma is a tough opponent. This aggressive brain cancer has claimed the lives of well-known figures like Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain, as well as President Joe Biden’s son, Beau. The average survival time for someone diagnosed with glioblastoma is less than 18 months.

Dr. Andrew Brenner, a neuro-oncologist at UT Health San Antonio and a professor at the Mays Cancer Center, points out that radiation is currently the main way to treat glioblastoma. Unfortunately, too much radiation can harm healthy brain tissue. So, is there a better method for targeting tumors?

Dr. Brenner and his team have come up with an innovative solution. They designed a special molecule that can carry liquid radiation directly to the tumor. This molecule enters tiny fat pockets called liposomes, which help transport the treatment directly to where it’s needed.

Using thin catheters similar to coffee straws, they can deliver this treatment right to the tumor. “What we see is very high doses where we put it in, quickly dropping off in the areas outside,” Brenner explains. This method aims to destroy the tumor while protecting the surrounding brain tissue.

In initial studies done on rats, the results were promising. He shared, “When the pathologist looked at the brains, they said, ‘If you tell me there was a tumor here, I have to believe you, but there’s really nothing. It’s just a hole.’ They found no signs of injury or tumors.”

This technique is now being tested in humans, and early feedback is encouraging. Many patients find it less taxing than traditional radiation therapy, which often requires multiple visits to a treatment facility over several weeks. With this new approach, a patient can receive the infusion the day after the catheter placement and then return home.

This work offers hope in a field that has seen very little progress. Over the last thirty years, the average lifespan of glioblastoma patients has only increased by about six months. Dr. Brenner is optimistic about the potential for extending life further. “I would love a cure, but even an extra month with loved ones matters,” he said. “If I can help people live longer, I will consider that a success.”

This collaboration between TPR and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio highlights how scientific advancements in San Antonio can enhance medical practices worldwide.