In recent research, scientists have discovered that blood vessels feeding high-grade glioma brain tumors have high levels of LDL receptors (LDLR) on them. The study found that using drug-containing nanoparticle-based therapies to target these receptors can be a new way of treating cancer. Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors and, due to their highly aggressive nature, have a poor prognosis with an average survival of only 4.6 months without treatment and approximately 14 months with optimal multimodal treatments. This research could pave the way for treating glioma brain tumors with LDL receptor-targeted nanoparticle-based therapies, thereby cutting off the energy supply of cancer cells.
Two newly developed tests, one which analyzes urine samples and a simple blood test, can detect the presence of glioma brain cancer.
Disabling the CD161 pathway restores the T-cell's ability to attack gliomas and extends lifespan in animal models of brain cancer.
Glioma patients whose tumors were hypermutated showed no significant benefit when treated with checkpoint blockers.
Glioma brain tumors disrupt neural synchrony between bilateral cortical regions. The findings provide new insight into the association between seizures and tumor progression.
Glioma brain tumors alter the function of astrocytes, possibly contributing to seizures many brain cancer patients experience. Astrocytes encasing gliomas exhibit different molecular signatures based on their proximity to the cancer cells. Those directly touching the cancer cells become elongated and swollen, mimicking the astrocyte's response to other epilepsy-related brain injuries.
Researchers gain inspiration for creating tiny artificial brains, that can be used for cancer research, from an ancient Japanese art of flower arranging.
More DNA mutations in glioblastomas may mean better prognosis for brain cancer patients.