Deadly Brain Tumors May Have a Hidden Weakness—Scientists Just Found It
Summary
Scientists at the University of Virginia discovered that deadly brain tumors called gliomas may be easier to treat using a new drug-delivery method with sound waves. This method temporarily opens a natural brain barrier to let medicine reach tumors without surgery.Key Facts
- Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults and include glioblastoma, the deadliest type.
- The blood-brain barrier usually blocks harmful substances, but it also blocks many cancer drugs.
- Focused ultrasound uses sound-activated microbubbles to open this barrier briefly and precisely for drug delivery.
- The technique works better on gliomas than on healthy brain tissue, easing concerns about tumor resistance.
- Researchers found medium-sized drug molecules work best with this ultrasound method.
- This discovery may help improve existing treatments and create new drug and gene therapies for brain tumors.
- The study was done on mice and published in the journal Radiology.
- More research is needed before this approach can be used in patients.
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