Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive type of cancer that primarily affects the brain. A new study has found that this cancer has an internal clock which is synced every day to capitalize on the circadian rhythm of the patient. This feature allows tumors to grow as the patient’s body releases hormones.
The study, which was carried out by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, discovered that blocking circadian signals significantly reduced the growth of tumors as well as disease progression.
The first author of the study, Maria F. Gonzalez-Aponte, explained that prior studies had allowed the researchers to establish a pattern.
In their previous studies, the researchers had discovered that chemotherapy treatment was the most effective around normal waking time, which formed the basis of their hypothesis that tumors knew the time of day outside.
For their study, the researchers investigated if glioblastoma responded to the surge of glucocorticoids to sync its timing to a host as glucocorticoid levels increase significantly daily before an individual awakens. Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that play a role in the fight-or-flight response, in addition to regulating biological processes like immunity and metabolism.
To begin with, Gonzalez-Aponte placed mice with tumors in cages that could be made dark or light using a timer. This allowed the mice to adopt a modified scheduled, permitting researchers to monitor the cancer cells in the tumors for any shifts. They observed that two clock genes in the cancer cells; Per2 and Bmal1, modified their schedules as the mice changed theirs.
This, Gonzalez-Aponte noted, meant that the cancer cells were recalibrating their daily rhythms as the mice did.
The researchers’ findings are important, partly because they demonstrate how brain tumors respond to dexamethasone, a steroid drug commonly prescribed to patients with brain cancer to manage brain edema after surgery and radiation. The researchers discovered that administering this drug in the evening suppressed tumor growth in mice while giving it in the morning promoted glioblastoma growth.
The paper’s co-author, Prof. Joshua B, Rubin, explained that this research offered an example of how important framing research in real-life biology was to improving the treatment of cancer.
The study’s senior author, Professor Erik D. Herzog, noted that the interaction between the circadian system and brain tumors was now an actionable pathway to optimize treatments. The researchers published their findings in Cancer Cell.
They are now focused on determining whether there are times during the day when dexamethasone can be used to decrease brain edema without promoting tumor growth.
Different companies, such as CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP), are also engaged in their own efforts to find the next-generation treatment for brain malignancies. Those efforts by various players could yield superior drugs that improve the clinical outcomes of patients with brain cancer.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CNSP
About BioMedWire
BioMedWire (“BMW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on the latest developments in the Biotechnology (BioTech), Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) and Life Sciences sectors. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness.
BMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from BioMedWire, “Biotech” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.BioMedWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.BioMedWire.com/Disclaimer
BioMedWire
San Francisco, CA
www.BioMedWire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com
BioMedWire is powered by IBN
For a long time, scientists have been working tirelessly to come up with vaccines against cancer. Significant progress is…
Designations granted by leading global regulatory agencies play a critical role in advancing drug-development programs.…
Enormous resources are being channeled into studying different ways to support the immune system in its fight…
Recent research shows how chemotherapy and immunotherapy can complement each other when used together. Within…
David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia, has revealed that a wide range of American healthcare workers,…
Patients increasingly prefer access, speed and convenience, but healthcare systems also need better coordination, safer…