Nasal Drops Show promise in Eliminating Aggressive Brain Cancer in Mouse models
An experimental treatment delivered via nasal drops has demonstrated the complete elimination of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in preclinical trials using mice. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Northwestern University (Illinois) published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Glioblastoma is notoriously arduous to treat, often described as a “cold” tumor due to its inability to trigger a strong natural immune response. This new therapy aims to overcome this challenge by directly stimulating the immune system within the brain. The treatment utilizes nanomedicine designed to activate the STING (stimulator of interferon genes) pathway, a key component of the body’s innate immunity that responds to the presence of foreign DNA.
Unlike traditional methods requiring direct injection into the brain, this innovative approach is non-invasive. Administered as nasal drops, the particles travel along the trigeminal nerve – the primary neural pathway connecting the face to the brain – and reach the tumor site.Real-time tracking confirmed this targeted delivery, with minimal distribution to other parts of the body, significantly reducing the potential for systemic side effects.
Remarkably, combining the nasal therapy with drugs that boost T lymphocyte activation (critical immune cells for cancer destruction) led to complete tumor elimination in the treated mice after just one or two administrations.Furthermore, the treatment induced long-term immune protection, preventing tumor recurrence.
While these results are highly encouraging, it’s important to note that the therapy has only been tested in mouse models. Further research, including safety, dosage, and efficacy studies, is necesary before clinical trials in humans can begin. The nanotherapy is currently not approved for clinical use.
