Researchers at Cornell University have found that longer treatment time with an anti-cancer drug is needed for aggressive brain tumours.

Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive of brain tumours, because it spreads so rapidly. A new drug called boronphenylalanine (BPA) has showed promise in treating these tumours. Recent research from Cornell University shows that higher doses and longer infusion times might make the drug much more successful.

They have experimented both with mice and human brain cancer cells. In both cases, the benefits of the new treatment protocol was apparent. In a third study, a new way of treating glioblastoma called boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was also tested. In this approach, a boron containing drug - like BPA - is infused into the brain. The boron atom is given in a radioactive form and the brain is then treated with low energy neutrons. The boron atom captures the neutrons and this creates two new particles, by nuclear fission. It is these particles which then destroy clusters of cancer cells which have spread from the primary tumour. Combining the Cornell discovery on BPA with the neutron therapy may well give new hope to those suffering from glioblastoma.

Source

Clinical Cancer Research August 2002