Anti-Malarial Drug Could Potentially Aid in the Treatment of Brain Cancer

Glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, is one of the most common and aggressive forms of brain cancer. Consequently, researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, VIMM, are actively pursuing new efforts to extend and to improve the lives of patients with this deadly disease.

The new study, spearheaded by Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D., FNAI, was recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It centered on lumefantrine, an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of acute malaria.

Lumefantrine for Brain Tumors?

With the use of this anti-malarial drug, Fisher and his colleagues believe that they could boost the capability of the most common treatment that will counteract glioblastoma's resistance to anti-cancer chemotherapy.

At present, the standard treatment of care for cancer patients involves radiation and temozolomide. These help marginally extend the lives of patients, but there will always be the resistance of GBM. According to the Mayo Clinic News Network, GBM has a five-year survival rate, with only 5.5 percent of patients being able to live that long. 

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Discovering the drug's ability to subdue the body's resistance to radiation and chemotherapy came through genetic and molecular approaches that identified the new genetic element "Fli-1" as an essential genetic element controlling resistance to therapy.

To help treat glioblastoma, researchers will further explore other means to counteract therapy resistance induced by Fli-1.

Fisher thoroughly explained:

"These preclinical studies provide a solid rationale for Fli-1/HSPB1 inhibition with lumefantrine as a potential novel approach for glioblastoma management. Identification of drugs like lumefantrine from FDA-approved therapeutic agents and different sources provides opportunities to broaden the breadth and versatility of current therapeutic regimens for glioblastoma multiforme patients."

Fisher also discussed their next task of further exploring other resources to oppose therapy resistance brought about by Fli-1. "The present results may have broader implications than just treating glioblastoma," he said.

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Besides the elevation of Fli-1 in GBM, these findings could also be found in cancers such as melanoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and others. This implies that blocking the cancer-promoting effects of Fli-1 might help other cancer patients as well.

Other Researches on Cancer Treatment

In a related study, scientists continue to explore new trends to come up with a cure for cancer, focusing on its recurrence.

Mays Cancer Center leader of hematology and medical oncology, Dr. Daruka Mahadevan explained why some cancer cells don't die upon therapy.

"When you give therapy, some cells don't die. These cells don't die because they've acquired a double complement of the normal chromosomes plus other genetic changes. Many types of chemotherapy actually promote this," said Dr. Mahadevan.

Their study suggests rogue cells formed from the therapy of shrinking tumors will grow and become aggressive. This results in the reappearance of a new tumor. 

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