Glioblastoma's Systemic Impact: New Hope in Fighting Deadliest Brain Cancer
Glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer, is now known to affect not just the brain but also the skull and bone marrow. Around 15,000 people are diagnosed with this aggressive disease each year, with a median survival of about 15 months. Current treatments have failed, highlighting the urgent need for new approaches.
Research has revealed that glioblastoma is a systemic disease, causing erosion of the skull, particularly along the sutures where bones fuse. It also alters the makeup of skull marrow. This cancer nearly doubles the levels of inflammatory neutrophils and eliminates several types of antibody-producing B cells, further weakening the immune system.
Glioblastoma's impact on the skull marrow makes the tumor increasingly aggressive. It allows an influx of pro-inflammatory cells, fueling tumor progression and interfering with the body's immune response. Anti-osteoporosis drugs that halt skull erosion may inadvertently fuel tumor progression or block beneficial immunotherapy effects.
Current therapies under investigation include CAR-T cell immunotherapy, BA-101 from NeuroNOS, and experimental compounds like GLIX1. These approaches aim to prevent activation of pro-inflammatory myeloid cells in the skull marrow and restore the normal balance of immune cells.
Glioblastoma's systemic nature, affecting both the brain and bone marrow, underscores the complexity of this disease. While current treatments have limitations, ongoing research into preventing pro-inflammatory myeloid cell activation and restoring immune cell balance offers hope for improved outcomes in the future.
