Latest News

• UT Health San Antonio-led research discovers a way to slow or block recurrence in glioblastoma        

  This is interesting preclinical work from researchers at UT Health San Antonio. Radiation therapy, while effective at shrinking glioblastoma tumors, can unfortunately help drive recurrence by inducing senescence in cancer cells. These senescent cells secrete growth factors that later promote the regrowth of surviving tumor cells. However, the UT researchers found that administering the senolytic drug birinapant after radiation selectively eliminates these senescent cells by targeting the anti-apoptotic protein cIAP2. In their mouse models, this approach (radiation followed by birinapant) delayed or prevented recurrence without harming healthy cells; notably, 2 out of 9 mice (22%) survived beyond 120 days with no tumor recurrence. This new study helps build on earlier research on senolytics in glioblastoma, but birinapant’s specificity for cIAP2 is a novel advancement. We hope to see continued research on this approach.

  
  
• Role of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the cellular response to Tumor Treating Fields        

  This preclinical study helps explain why some cancer cells may be less responsive to Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields). The researchers found that TTFields can activate the PI3K/AKT pathway over time, partly through proteins like FAK and N-cadherin. Importantly, in both cell assays and animal models, blocking the PI3K pathway with inhibitors made cancer cells more sensitive to TTFields. 

  
  
• Cancer Commons: Breaking Barriers in Cancer Care        

  Dr. George Lundberg, Cancer Commons Editor in Chief, and Dr. DeLeys Brandman, Cancer Commons Medical Director, recently shared a discussion on the 'Learning Health System' model utilized by Cancer Commons, plus a new platform technology - CRO-LITE - that will help support fast, high-quality n-of-1 clinical trials. The Musella Foundation and Head for the Cure have partnered together with Cancer Commons to provide this service to brain tumor patients. For brain tumor patients and caregivers seeking navigation services, click here.