A Different Target for Brain Tumor Therapy

Finding ways to shut down the three to five percent of cells that drive blood vessel growth in brain tumors may lead to new therapy.

The cells resemble stem cells and produce more of a key growth factor called VEGF than the rest of the tumor.

Researchers at Duke University led by Jeremy Rich hope that, if they can find a way of delivering anti-VEGF therapy directly to the stem-like cells, they can cut down blood vessel formation and significantly slow the progress of the disease.

Malignant brain tumors are highly lethal, despite aggressive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, Rich said. VEGF antibodies may be effective as cancer therapies when combined with chemotherapy by improving delivery directly and specifically to stem cell-like tumor cells. Targeting VEGF in this way would not kill cancer cells directly, but instead would block the actions of adjacent cells that support the growth of their blood supply.

Rich added that, although he did not expect instant victories in the near future, he thought the new technique offered hope for patients who are currently told there is little hope of helping their condition.

The team’s report can be found in the August 15 issue of Cancer Research.