Sydney, Australia – A decades-old anti-anxiety medication has emerged as a potential game-changer in the battle against glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and often fatal form of brain cancer. Researchers from Flinders University in Australia have found that this medication could significantly boost the effectiveness of chemo-radiotherapy, offering new hope to patients facing this formidable adversary.
Brain cancers, particularly GBM, claim the lives of more individuals under the age of 40 than any other form of cancer. They present unique challenges as they often resist therapies that have shown efficacy in treating cancer elsewhere in the body.
The study, recently published in the journal Science Advances, delves into the role of cerebrospinal fluid in reducing the efficacy of current treatments for brain cancer. This clear, colorless liquid, which envelops and protects the brain, has long been associated with the resilience of brain cancers to standard treatments.
In the study, researchers tested the impact of human cerebrospinal fluid on the growth of tumor cells obtained from 25 local patients with glioblastoma. One of the striking findings was that tumor cells exposed to cerebrospinal fluid rapidly altered their characteristics, rendering them more resistant to both radiation and the drug temozolomide, which are vital components of glioblastoma therapy.
Cedric Bardy, an Associate Professor at Flinders, emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “Glioblastoma kills so many people who are otherwise fit, healthy, and young, within months. This is a horrible disease, and the treatments available are just not effective enough despite serious side effects.”
The study offers a glimmer of hope by revealing the limitations of existing chemotherapy and suggests a potential solution. Trifluoperazine, an anti-anxiety drug utilized since the 1950s, has demonstrated the ability to re-sensitize glioblastoma cells to radiation and temozolomide.
Crucially, trifluoperazine was found to spare healthy brain cells from harm. The researchers have concluded that combining trifluoperazine with standard care protocols may significantly enhance the survival prospects of GBM patients.
As the battle against brain cancer intensifies, this discovery presents a promising avenue for exploration and potential relief for those facing the daunting challenge of glioblastoma.
