Promising therapy progress against brain tumors: chemotherapy and radiation therapy improved

Promising therapy progress against brain tumors: chemotherapy and radiation therapy improved

chemotherapy and radiation therapy of brain tumors have made considerable progress in recent decades, in particular the millimeter-precise and three-dimensional proton radiation for the treatment of the most common and most malignant brain tumor, the so-called glioblastoma. There are also promising new approaches in tailor -made immunotherapy that aim to "trick" the tumor cells. For the World Hirntumortary Day on June 8, 2024, these progress gives the affected hope.

In Germany, around 8,000 people fall ill annually in different types of brain tumors that make up about two percent of all cancer in the country. Primary tumors in the brain develop from the cells of the brain tissue or the brain, while secondary tumors are metastases of other tumor diseases in the body. Gliomas that arise from the brain's glia cells are the most common primary brain tumors. Brain tumors can occur at any age, but most often in people from the age of 40.

The treatment methods for brain tumors depend on their kind, size and location. Possible options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or immunotherapy, alone or in combination. However, not all brain tumors have to be treated. For example, meningeomas, which often occur in older people and are mostly benign, are only treated when they grow. If these can be removed completely surgically, there is a recovery chance of around 90 percent. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have improved considerably in recent decades. An example of this is the medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor in small children, which can usually be healed by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In the 1960s this tumor was still fatal.

The rare brain tumors include the so-called oligodendrogliomes, which make up 1.3 percent of the brain tumors and have both good and malignant forms. Oligodendrogliomas are slowly growing over years or even decades and can change viciously and continue to grow aggressively. The risk of degeneration and malice increases when the operation is delayed. Early operational removal is therefore important. Oligodendrogliomas spread diffuse in healthy brain tissue and therefore cannot be completely removed. Therefore, the operation is usually supplemented by chemotherapy and radiation.

The most common and malignant brain tumor is the glioblastoma, which is 15.1 percent of all brain tumors. Although it is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and subsequent maintenance chemotherapy, in most cases there is a new occurrence. A promising treatment method for glioblastomas is the highly precise proton radiation. In contrast to conventional radiation therapy with photons, it enables a millimeter -precise focus on the tumor tissue. With the help of Pencil-Beam scanning, the tumors can be "painted" three-dimensional, which is where the surrounding healthy tissue is protected. This leads to reduced side effects and improves tumor healing and long -term quality of life.

Current research also focuses on various immunotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of glioblastomas. Since these brain tumors are able to change their ambient milieu strongly to hide from the immune system, it is necessary to "trick" or "to demask" them. A promising method is the therapeutic vaccination with specific cell components of the cancer cells that trigger a massive immune response to attack the malignant cells.

Another promising treatment option that is currently being researched in studies is the administration of a certain active ingredient together with standard therapy for glioblastomatians. This active ingredient ensures that TNF enriches more in the tumor cells, a messenger that can combat cancer cells. The problem is that glioblastoma cells are resistant to TNF. Research therefore tries to make the tumor cells more receptive to the messenger substance, possibly by combining with a chemotherapeutic agency like Temozolomide.

The progress in the therapy of brain tumors gives patients and their relatives hope of sustainable treatment. Clinical studies in the coming years will show how promising these new treatment approaches are. On the World Hirntumort Day on June 8, 2024, the focus is on awareness of brain tumors and the progress in their treatment.

Table: Frequency of brain tumor species in Germany
| Type of brain tumor | Percentage of all brain tumors |
| ——————— | ——————————- |
| Glioblastom | 15.1% |
| Gliome | X% |
| Oligodendrogliom | 1.3% |
| Meningeome | X% |

Source: bpi Federal Association of the pharmaceutical industry/ots