Experimental Therapy Found To Stop Treatment-Resistant Cancer Growth In Mice

Cancer has been widely known to be one of the leading causes of mortality all over the world. There have been so many researchers working their way to put a stop to this deadly disease. Researchers report in the journal, Cancer Cell that an experimental therapy in laboratory tests on human cells and mouse models cease aggressive, treatment-resistant and deadly brain cancers known as glioblastoma and high-grade gliomas.

The team led by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center published the result of their study testing a multi-step therapeutic strategy. Researchers found a way to use a gene therapy to stop a gene long-suspected in the formation of high-grade gliomas called Olig2. According to Science Daily, the protein encoded by Olig2 is indicated in the majority of gliomas. Removing of Olig2 gene stops the tumor growth, while eliminating of Olig2-producing cells blocks tumor formation.

"We find that elimination of dividing Olig2-expressing cells blocks initiation and progression of glioma in animal models and further show that Olig2 is the molecular arbiter of genetic adaptability that makes high-grade gliomas aggressive and treatment resistant," said Qing Richard Lu, PhD, lead investigator and scientific director of the Brain Tumor Center at Cincinnati Children's. "By finding a way to inhibit Olig2 in tumor forming cells, we were able to change the tumor cells' makeup and sensitize them to targeted molecular treatment. This suggests a proof of principle for stratified therapy in distinct subtypes of malignant gliomas."

The study may also be applicable to high-grade brain gliomas and a fatal brainstem tumor called DIPG (Diffused Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). This expresses Olig2 and can't be operated because of the tumor's location in the brain region which controls vital functions. So even if these cancers initially respond to a specific treatment, they eventually adapt by finding genetic/molecular workarounds, avoid treatments and continue growing.

Wdrd.com mentioned that researchers caution the experimental therapeutic approach they describe requires a comprehensive additional research and still has years away from possible clinical testing. However, Dr. Lu still said that the data are a significant research breakthrough. The current study finds a potential gap in the molecular armor of these rigid cancers that even after an initial round of successful treatment -- almost always relapse and kill the patients who get them.