An investigational dendritic cell vaccine from Northwest Biotherapeutics Inc., administered with standard of care, extended both median overall survival (OS) and "the ‘long tail' of the survival curve" vs. matched external controls in newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer patients, according to results published Nov. 17 in JAMA Oncology.
It was a good week for companies focused on minimally invasive brain surgery. Monteris Medical Corp. received $35 million in a series D equity financing and a $38 million debt facility to support market adoption and clinical research on its Neuroblate system, a laser ablation system that provides a minimally invasive option for brain surgery. Nico Corp. also raised additional funds, with a $12.5 million oversubscribed round for its devices, which do not require cutting through the brain but instead use the natural folds of the brain to reach abnormalities.
Novaccess Global Inc. has announced the approval of its application with the FDA for orphan drug designation for TLR-AD1, a vaccine immunotherapy for the treatment of aggressive brain cancers, including glioblastoma and other high-grade gliomas. The company’s therapeutic path involves a unique transformational process, which involves the addition of proprietary substances to create a cocktail for more personalized treatment that substantially increases clinical benefits for patients.
Investigators have developed α-therapeutic thorium-227-labeled DUNP19 ([227Th]Th-DUNP19), an antibody-conjugated radiopharmaceutical with high specificity and affinity to LRRC15.
A germline change in a single nucleotide increased the risk by up to 6-fold of developing an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant low-grade glioma. The rs55705857 genotype could serve as a biomarker before surgery to identify an early glioma.
Brain MRIs can reveal a great deal about brain tumors, but tracking response to treatment, clearly delineating edges and identifying other critical information remain problematic. Neosoma Inc.’s recently granted FDA 510(k) clearance may simplify treatment of the most challenging of these tumors, high-grade gliomas. The Neosoma High-Grade Glioma (HGG) neuro-oncology software device uses artificial intelligence to provide detailed measurements and 3D analysis that enable greater precision in procedures and better monitoring.
Merck KGaA has struck a collaboration and option-to-license deal with Nerviano Medical Sciences Srl centered around NMS-293, a next-generation PARP-1 inhibitor already in early clinical development for brain tumors. Merck is making a play for the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor market, first opened up in December 2014 by Astrazeneca plc, when Lynparza (olaparib) was first approved in advanced ovarian cancer, going on to become a blockbuster through a partnership with Merck & Co Inc.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a target in many cancers, but EGFR inhibitors have displayed little utility in treating glioblastoma (GBM) due to limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration.
Sex differences at the cellular level could explain why men respond less well to glioblastoma (GBM) treatments, according to a study led by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (WUSTL). The researchers found that male and female GBM tumor cells had different metabolic needs. GBM cells from male surgical samples absorbed more glutamine and had different nutritional preferences for amino acids.
