A groundbreaking treatment method for aggressive brain cancers has emerged from research conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Northwestern University in Illinois. This innovative approach involves delivering tumour-fighting medication directly to the brain through nasal drops, a technique that has shown promise in eliminating glioblastoma tumours in preclinical studies.
Glioblastoma, the most prevalent form of brain cancer, is often referred to as a “cold tumour.” Unlike “hot tumours,” which provoke the body’s immune response, glioblastomas evade detection, complicating treatment efforts. Researchers have been working to activate an immune response against these challenging tumours by targeting a cellular pathway known as STING (stimulator of interferon genes). This pathway is triggered when cells recognize foreign DNA, prompting the immune system to act.
Traditional STING-activating therapies have required invasive procedures to deliver drugs directly into tumours, as these agents break down quickly in the body. To address this limitation, the collaborative team has developed a novel class of spherical nucleic acids capable of activating the STING pathway in immune cells. This treatment can be administered non-invasively through the nasal cavity, allowing the medication to reach the brain more effectively.
In tests conducted on mice, the nasal delivery of the treatment activated a robust immune response, specifically targeting the glioblastoma and enhancing immune cell activity in nearby lymph nodes. Notably, the therapy did not disseminate throughout the body, minimizing potential side effects.
The study demonstrated that combining this new approach with additional drugs designed to activate T lymphocytes—another critical component of the immune system—led to the complete eradication of tumours after just one or two doses. The results surpassed those achieved with existing STING-activating therapies, according to findings from Washington University.
Alexander H. Stegh, PhD, a professor and co-corresponding author of the study, expressed his commitment to transforming glioblastoma treatment. He stated, “We wanted to change this reality and develop a noninvasive treatment that activates the immune response to attack glioblastoma. 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.”
Dr. Stegh also noted that merely activating the STING pathway is insufficient to combat glioblastoma, due to the tumour’s ability to inhibit the immune response. His team is exploring ways to enhance their nanostructures to activate additional immune pathways, potentially increasing therapeutic targets within a single treatment.
Reflecting on the implications of their findings, Dr. Stegh remarked, “This is an approach that offers hope for safer, more effective treatments for glioblastoma and potentially other immune treatment-resistant cancers, and it marks a critical step toward clinical application.”
This innovative method could redefine the landscape of cancer immunotherapy, especially for tumours that have historically resisted effective treatment. As research progresses, it holds promise for improving outcomes for patients facing these challenging cancers.
