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Two-Drug Combo Shows Promise Against Deadly Childhood Brain Cancer

Australian researchers have discovered that combining two existing drugs may be a more effective treatment for aggressive childhood brain cancers like DIPG. The dual therapy targets the FACT and BET proteins to shut down the transcription process that drives tumor growth. In laboratory and mouse studies, the combination killed cancer cells and slowed tumor progression more effectively than single drugs. The findings also suggest this approach could make tumors more vulnerable to future immune-based therapies.

Key Points: New Drug Combo May Treat Childhood Brain Cancer: Study

  • Targets diffuse midline gliomas (DMG)
  • Blocks two key cancer proteins
  • Kills cancer cells in lab studies
  • Slows tumor growth in mice
2 min read

Combining two medicines may help treat childhood brain cancer: Study

Australian researchers find combining two existing drugs kills aggressive childhood brain cancer cells in lab, offering new hope for treatment.

"We recognise that no single drug treatment is able to eradicate the most aggressive of brain cancers on its own. - Conjoint Associate Professor Maria Tsoli"

New Delhi, Jan 17

A team of Australian researchers has tested a new way of treating childhood brain cancer by combining two medicines in lab studies.

The study, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, found that using the two treatments together may work better than using either on its own.

The team from the Children's Cancer Institute and University of New South Wales, tested a combined therapy approach on a group of difficult-to-treat brain tumours: diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) in the lab.

This group includes diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) -- a rare but fatal childhood brain cancer and a type of DMG. Children diagnosed with DIPG usually survive for about 12 months.

"We recognise that no single drug treatment is able to eradicate the most aggressive of brain cancers on its own," said Conjoint Associate Professor Maria Tsoli, from UNSW.

She said this is what led the researchers to see if combining treatments could work better.

UNSW Conjoint Professor David Ziegler said one of the biggest challenges with these tumours is that thousands of genes are switched on at the same time, driving the cancer's growth.

"It has proven extremely difficult to find a way to switch them all off," he said.

The researchers said that DMG cells grow out of control because of changes that disrupt normal gene activity.

The study discovered a promising combination of drugs that successfully shuts down the transcription process, effectively switching off thousands of genes at once, they explained.

The team focused on two important proteins involved in transcription: FACT and BET -- found at high levels in cancer cells. Drugs that block these proteins already exist, but when used on their own, they only slow the cancer slightly.

But when used together, the cancer cells died in laboratory experiments.

Experiments in mice showed that it slowed tumour growth and helped the mice live longer.

The researchers also found the treatment activated signals linked to the immune system. This means the cancer cells may become easier for the body's immune system to recognise and target.

Because of this, the researchers think that adding an immune-based treatment, such as CAR T-cell therapy, could work even better in the future.

The researchers said both types of drugs are already being developed for use in patients, as they are now in clinical trials.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great to see international research, but I hope Indian institutions like AIIMS or TMC are also working on similar combination therapies. We have brilliant scientists here who understand our genetic diversity. Cost is a major factor—will such treatments be affordable for the average Indian family if approved?
D
David E
The science here is fascinating. Switching off thousands of genes at once by targeting transcription is a clever approach. The potential synergy with immunotherapy (like CAR-T) mentioned at the end is the real game-changer. Lab to clinic is a long road, but this is a very promising direction.
A
Ananya R
"Children diagnosed with DIPG usually survive for about 12 months." This line is just devastating. Any progress, however small, is a beacon of hope for parents. The fact that these drugs are already in trials for other uses could speed things up. Jai Vigyan!
S
Sarah B
While the results in mice are encouraging, we must be cautiously optimistic. Many treatments that work in the lab fail in human trials. The researchers seem responsible by not overhyping it. The real test will be Phase I trials on children. Fingers crossed.
V
Vikram M
This is why global collaboration in medical research is so important. Australian team finds a promising combo, maybe an Indian team can work on making it more effective or accessible. The mention of the immune system response is particularly interesting. More funding should go to such paediatric cancer research.

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