There is an urgent need for treatment for fatal brain tumors. Even though there have been numerous advancements and studies on cancer, there are still many lethal cancers that are tough to treat despite our technological advancements.
Thankfully, a group of Yale University researchers might have the solution to this dilemma of life threatening cancers.
What is Glioblastoma?
An aggressive form of cancer called glioblastoma can develop in the brain or spinal cord, according to Mayo Clinic and MedicalNewsToday. It can develop at any age, but older adults and men are slightly more likely to get it. A diagnosis of glioblastoma is made at an average age of 64.
Seizures, nausea, vomiting, and increasing headaches are all possible effects of this disease.
Interesting Engineering noted that only one in 20 individuals with glioblastoma, the most prevalent type of malignant brain tumor, survive for five years after their diagnosis because of how quickly it grows and how aggressively it spreads. Unfortunately, even after surgery, radiation therapy, and conventional chemotherapy, the typical patient survival period is only around 14 months.
More than half of the 20,000 new cases of glioma that are identified each year in the U.S. are glioblastomas.
Current Treatment for Glioblastoma?
A cure for glioblastoma is usually not possible and treatment can be quite tough. However, cancer treatments may alleviate symptoms and slow the spread of the condition.
Co-corresponding senior author and Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale School of Medicine Dr. Ranjit Bindra said: "A major problem in treating gliomas is that patients can rapidly develop resistance to the drug temozolomide, which has been the backbone of most glioma treatments for over 20 years."
Interesting Engineering mentioned that radiotherapy and the chemotherapy drug temozolomide (TMZ) are currently used to treat this condition.
Read More: Scientists Have Engineered Parasitic Worms That Can Kill Cancer Cells
Yale Researchers Developed a Tumor-Selective DNA Cross-Linking Agent
In order to combat some of the most deadly brain cancers while sparing healthy tissue, Yale researchers have created a new class of compounds.
DNA repair defects are a common feature of many cancers, including gliomas. Yale research said in more than 50% of gliomas, a specific DNA repair protein known as MGMT is lost for unidentified reasons.
This flaw in DNA repair is taken advantage of by Yale's new class of molecules. Their primary compound causes an interstrand cross-link, a particular type of DNA damage that is extremely hazardous to cells.
Despite the fact that numerous compounds that produce interstrand cross-links are utilized in the clinic for cancer patients, the majority of these agents are unable to distinguish between healthy tissue and tumors, which results in dose-limiting toxicity. The recently created compounds produce this DNA damage only in tumors, not in healthy tissue.
"In essence, we have created a tumor-selective DNA cross-linking agent," said Seth Herzon, the Milton Harris '29 Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and the study's other co-corresponding senior author.
Clinical trials for the novel compounds might begin as soon as 2024, according to Yale Cancer Center members Bindra and Herzon.
Related Article: Brain Cancer Treatment: New Drug To Stop Tumor Growth
