How do Washington University researchers fight brain cancer?

Researchers are using specially engineered nasal drops to deliver tumor-fighting medicine directly to the brain, boosting the immune response against glioblastoma.

What are spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) used for glioblastoma?

SNAs are nanostructures that activate the STING pathway, reprogramming the brain's immune microenvironment to better fight glioblastoma tumors.

Is this new nasal spray treatment available for patients yet?

The nasal spray technology is currently in development and has shown effectiveness in mice studies; it is not yet consumer-ready for clinical use.

Home / Health / Nose Drops Fight Deadly Brain Cancer

Nose Drops Fight Deadly Brain Cancer

24 Nov

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Summary

Nasal drops deliver tumor-fighting medicine to the brain.
Method effectively treats glioblastoma by boosting immune response.
Technology uses engineered nanostructures called spherical nucleic acids.

A novel approach using nasal drops shows promise for treating aggressive brain cancers, offering a non-invasive alternative to current therapies. Researchers have developed a technology that delivers tumor-fighting medicine directly to the brain through the nose, effectively boosting the immune system's response against glioblastoma in mice.

This new method employs spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), engineered nanostructures that activate the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. This activation is crucial for 'warming up' cold tumors, which are typically resistant to immunotherapy, thereby enhancing the efficacy of treatments like checkpoint inhibitors.

The development marks a significant step toward more effective and less invasive treatments for glioblastoma. Further studies are ongoing to determine how these findings translate to human patients, offering hope for safer and more potent therapies for brain cancer and other immune-resistant malignancies.