A team of researchers has developed a potentially groundbreaking treatment for glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Experts from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Northwestern University in Illinois have created a non-invasive method that delivers medication directly to the brain through nasal drops. This innovative approach has demonstrated success in eliminating tumours in mouse models, representing a significant step forward in cancer treatment.
Glioblastoma tumours, which are the most common form of brain cancer, are often called “cold tumours.” Unlike “hot tumours,” they do not provoke the body’s immune system, making them more challenging to treat with standard immunotherapies. The research team has focused on activating the immune response to these tumours by stimulating a pathway known as the STING (stimulator of interferon genes) pathway. This pathway is activated when cells detect foreign DNA, triggering an immune response.
Previous studies indicated that activating the STING pathway could enhance the immune system’s ability to combat glioblastoma. However, existing treatments require direct injection into the tumour, often necessitating invasive procedures. To address this challenge, the researchers developed a method to use a new class of spherical nucleic acids that activates the STING pathway in specific immune cells, allowing for delivery through the nasal passages.
The study found that when administered via nasal drops, the treatment traveled along the major nerve connecting the facial muscles to the brain. This method effectively elicited an immune response concentrated in the brain’s specific immune cells, particularly those within the tumour itself. Notably, the medicine did not disperse to other body parts, minimizing the risk of side effects.
Analysis of immune cells in and around the tumours showed successful activation of the STING pathway, enhancing the immune system’s ability to fight the cancer. When combined with drugs that stimulate T lymphocytes, another type of immune cell, the treatment eliminated tumours after just one or two doses and provided long-lasting immunity against recurrence.
Dr. Alexander H. Stegh, a professor and co-corresponding author of the study, expressed optimism about the findings. “We wanted to change this reality and develop a noninvasive treatment that activates the immune response to attack glioblastoma,” he stated. He emphasized that the engineered nanostructures could redefine cancer immunotherapy for difficult-to-access tumours.
Despite these promising results, Dr. Stegh noted that merely activating the STING pathway is not sufficient to combat glioblastoma, as these tumours have multiple mechanisms to evade immune responses. His research team is exploring ways to enhance the nanostructures to activate additional immune responses, potentially increasing the effectiveness of the therapy.
Dr. Stegh concluded, “This approach offers hope for safer, more effective treatments for glioblastoma and potentially other immune treatment-resistant cancers, marking a critical step toward clinical application.” As research progresses, this innovative treatment may pave the way for improved outcomes for those battling this challenging disease.
