Nasal Drops Show Promise in Fighting Deadly Glioblastoma Brain Cancer
st. Louis, MO – Researchers at Washington University in St.Louis have developed nasal drops that successfully activated immune pathways and inhibited tumor growth in mice with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. The findings, published in PNAS, offer a potential new avenue for treating a disease with a dismal five-year survival rate of just 6.9 percent.
The team engineered spherical nucleic acids – STING-activating molecules encased in a protective layer and wrapped around a gold nanoparticle core – too enhance stability and delivery.These nanostructures, when administered via nasal drops, effectively activated the STING pathway within the brain, triggering an immune response against the cancer cells.
“With this research, we’ve shown that precisely engineered nanostructures, called spherical nucleic acids, can safely and effectively activate powerful immune pathways within the brain,” said researcher Beau Stegh.
While acknowledging the need for further research before human clinical trials can begin, the team found that combining the nasal drops with other immunity-boosting drugs induced long-term immunity against glioblastoma in the mice studied.
stegh’s personal connection to the disease – his grandmother’s battle with metastatic brain tumors - fueled his dedication to finding a more effective treatment. “Her battle inspired me to confront this insidious disease, and my education and training led me to do so by pioneering a better understanding of the genetics behind brain tumors,” he explained.
The research highlights a promising, non-invasive approach to tackling glioblastoma, but researchers caution that cancer cells can perhaps circumvent the STING pathway, necessitating a multi-pronged treatment strategy.
