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Neurosurgical cell biologists at the University of Michigan have bioengineered nanoparticles that sensitize deadly gliomas to radiation therapy.

Their study, published in Nature Communications, focused on those gliomas that carry a mutated form of the IDH1 gene. Malignant tumors bearing this gene easily activate a cellular recycling process called autophagy (au toff fa gee) thar helps tumor cells remove damaged material but also helps them repair the DNA damage caused by radiation.

To block these tumor-protective effects, researchers created nanoparticles capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and penetrating into brain tumors to deliver mRNA molecules that trigger a shut-down of the autophagy pathway.

Using mouse models, they show that combining nanoparticle injections with radiation produces a phenomenal result: 60% of the animals are cured of their tumors and survive long-term without recurrence. The treatment produces no significant toxic side effects.

An added benefit: mice whose tumors are eliminated by the nanoparticle-radiation combo therapy develop active immunity against the tumor and able to destroy a newly implanted tumor without additional therapy.

*Bioengineered nanoparticles may offer a way to overcome radiation resistance in a select group of gliomas while also triggering lifesaving anti-tumor immunity. These animal model results are impressive, but it remains for human clinical trials to confirm whether this approach is safe and effective in patients.

The references for this report are available on my website.

#Glioma #BrainCancer #CancerResearch #Nanotechnology #RadiationTherapy