Austin, Texas – A groundbreaking new treatment for the highly aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma has shown promising results in a recent study conducted at Mass General Cancer Centre in the US. The study focused on the use of CAR T-cell therapy in three patients diagnosed with glioblastoma, a deadly cancer that typically has a grim prognosis.
The treatment involved re-engineering the patients’ T-cells to target specific markers on cancer cells, essentially turning the immune cells into “bounty hunters” seeking out and destroying the malignant masses. One of the key markers identified in glioblastomas is a mutated variant of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which was targeted in the therapy.
In a phase 1 clinical trial called INCIPIENT, three patients received the CAR T-cell therapy. While two of the patients saw some regression in their tumors initially, the third patient, a 72-year-old man, experienced a remarkable reduction in tumor size within days of receiving the treatment. This success has given hope to researchers and patients alike in the search for a cure for this currently incurable disease.
Despite the promising results, researchers caution that more studies are needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. The variability in responses seen among the patients underscores the complexity of treating glioblastoma and the need for personalized therapies tailored to each individual.
The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, has provided valuable insights into the potential of CAR T-cell therapy in targeting glioblastomas. By targeting multiple surface antigens simultaneously, the therapy has demonstrated the ability to effectively attack cancer cells and potentially improve patient outcomes.
While it is too early to label the treatment as a cure, the success of the therapy in at least one patient offers a glimmer of hope for those diagnosed with this aggressive form of cancer. With further research and clinical trials, CAR T-cell therapy could become a game-changing approach in the treatment of glioblastoma and other challenging cancers.