Recombinant Polio Vaccine Improved Survival Rate Among Some With Aggressive Recurrent Brain Tumor

MedicalResearch: The poliovirus receptor (CD155) is an onco-fetal cell adhesion molecule with widespread expression in all solid tumors and particularly in primary CNS tumors (adult and pediatric). Recombinant nonpathogenic polio–rhinovirus chimera (PVSRIPO) was generated by replacing a critical piece of the genetic information from the Sabin type 1 polio vaccine, making PVSRIPO incapable of harming or killing normal brain cells, but toxic/lethal in cancer cells. In preclinical models, it has been demonstrated that the infection of tumor cells, leads to the release of danger signals, which triggers a recruitment of dendritic/CD4/CD8 T cells and a destruction of tumor cells by anti-tumor T cells.

NEW GENES INVOLVED IN BRAIN TUMORS

ICM: A large-scale genetic study that ICM researchers took part in, within an international consortium, highlights the relationship between genetic profiles of patients and varying susceptibility to different types of brain tumors. Gliomas represent roughly 27% of primitive brain tumors, meaning tumors that originate directly within the brain. They are split up into two main categories: glioblastomas, the most aggressive (high-grade gliomas), and low-grade gliomas. Despite current treatment options including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, glioma prognosis is generally poor. A better understanding of tumor development is crucial.

Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma Well Tolerated; Survival Gains Observed

Duke: A phase one study of 11 patients with glioblastoma who received injections of an investigational vaccine therapy and an approved chemotherapy showed the combination to be well tolerated while also resulting in unexpectedly significant survival increases, researchers at the Duke Cancer Institute report. Patients treated with the study drug (dose-intensified temozolomide and vaccines) were continuously monitored for toxicity and adverse events. Study patients experienced known side effects with temozolomide, including nausea, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and fatigue. There were no treatment limiting adverse events and no adverse events related to the cellular portion of the vaccine. One patient developed a grade 3 vaccine-related allergic reaction to the GM-CSF component of the vaccine. The patient was able to continue vaccinations in which the GM-CSF was removed and had no subsequent adverse events.

Personalized Cell Therapies Show More Promise in Solid Tumors

Pennsylvania: Investigational “hunter” immune cells engineered to seek out and attack a deadly brain cancer known as glioblastoma (GBM) infiltrated patients’ tumors and triggered thousands of more T cells once inside, researchers from Penn Medicine reported in a late breaking abstract at the AACR Annual Meeting 2017 (Abstract LB-053).  The findings are among the results from three studies being presented on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy with T cells and a newer approach known as CARMA, which successfully pitted engineered macrophages against breast and ovarian tumors.

Glioblastoma: An Innovative Triple Combination Treatment Might Improve Outcomes

Ohio: Effective treatments are critically needed for a lethal form of brain cancer called glioblastoma This study found that a targeted drug combined with a cancer-killing virus attacks glioblastoma cells in a way that makes them more vulnerable to a particular immune therapy. The findings suggest that the three therapies should be tested together in a clinical trial for glioblastoma. A recent study shows that a targeted drug combined with a cancer-killing virus causes the cells of a lethal form of brain cancer to die in a way that makes them more subject to killing by a particular immune therapy.

Researchers discover potential new target for treating glioblastoma

Southwestern: Scientists have found a way to inhibit the growth of glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer with low survival rates, by targeting a protein that drives growth of brain tumors, according to research from the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute and Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. “These findings change our fundamental understanding of the molecular basis of glioblastoma, and how to treat it,” said co-senior author Dr. Robert Bachoo, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, Internal Medicine, and with the Annette G. Strauss Center for Neuro-Oncology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “We may have identified a set of critical genes we can target with drugs that are shared across nearly all glioblastomas.” The study, published in Cell Reports, represents research from UT Southwestern’s precision medicine campaign in neuro-oncology.

Glioblastoma: An Innovative Triple Combination Treatment Might Improve Outcomes

Columbus: A recent study shows that a targeted drug combined with a cancer-killing virus causes the cells of a lethal form of brain cancer to die in a way that makes them more subject to killing by a particular immune therapy. The findings by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) suggest that the three therapies together might be an effective therapy for glioblastoma (GBM) and should be tested in a clinical trial.

Nanotechnology drug delivery approaches for the treatment of glioblastoma

ACNB: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is by far the most common and aggressive form of glial tumor. It is characterized by a highly proliferative population of cells that invade surrounding tissue and that frequently recur after surgical resection and chemotherapy. Over the last decades, a number of promising novel pharmacological approaches have been investigated, but most of them have failed clinical trials due to some side-effects such as toxicity and poor drug delivery to the brain. The major obstacle in the treatment of GBM is the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Due to their relatively high molecular weight, most therapeutic drugs fail to cross the BBB from the blood circulation.

Study Finds That Less Is More For Brain Cancer

Duke: A modified poliovirus therapy that is showing promising results for patients with glioblastoma brain tumors works best at a low dosage, according to the research team at Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center where the investigational therapy is being pioneered. “The purpose of a phase 1 trial is to identify the optimal dose to minimize toxicity,” said Annick Desjardins, M.D., lead author of the presentation and director of clinical research at the brain tumor center in the Duke Cancer Institute. “Our trial design included escalating to higher doses, which is what is done with chemotherapy. 

Discovery of biomarker offers hope for brain cancer patients

UNSW researchers have discovered a biomarker that can help predict if standard cancer therapy will extend the life of patients with malignant brain tumours. The discovery means doctors can now better target treatment for patients not sensitive to standard chemotherapy or radiotherapy.  The finding may also eventually lead to new approaches for extending life and improving the quality of life for people diagnosed with brain cancer. The highly aggressive brain tumours, known as glioblastomas (GBM), are considered incurable and have an average survival of less than 15 months. Approximately 1800 Australians are diagnosed every year with GBM.

A dog lives on; now the stage is being set for treating humans

Virginia Tech. US: The National Cancer Institute awarded Scott Verbridge, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and mechanics, a $386,149 research grant to move a glioblastoma treatment a step closer to being used on humans.

A Nano-Sized Weapon Against Brain Tumors

Las Vegas University. US: A new, nanoparticle-based drug delivery system being developed by health physics professor Steen Madsen offers new treatment for glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma: Three Genes Tied to Radiation Resistance in Recurrent Tumors

Ohio University. US: The lethal brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) frequently recurs after treatment and patients have an average survival of less than two years. This study identified three genes that play key roles in enabling certain GBM cells to survive radiation therapy. The findings suggest that blocking one or more of these genes might offer an effective new treatment for recurrent, treatment-resistant GBM.

Glioblastoma

Glioblastomas are malignant astrocytic tumors (grade IV according to the WHO classification). Glioblastomas represent the most frequent brain tumors in adults, with an annual incidence of around 1/33,330.

Frequency is estimated at 1/100,000. They may occur at any age, but 70% of cases are seen in patients between 45 and 70 years of age. The tumors are usually located in the brain hemispheres, but can be found anywhere in the central nervous system.