French researchers reveal that a treatment targeting a glioblastoma surface molecule can eradicate tumors in cancerous mice.
- Scientists from CRCI2NA have developed a new treatment with a monoclonal antibody labeled with a radioactive isotope of astatine, astatine 211, which targets a surface molecule of glioblastoma, “syndecan 1”.
- After being administered to female mice, the targeted therapy reduced orthotopic tumors and secondary tumor sites.
- Additionally, it has also improved survival rates by up to 70%.
This is the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Classified as grade 4 astrocytoma by the World Health Organization (WHO), the annual incidence of glioblastoma is 3.27 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In France, some 3,500 people are diagnosed each year. This disease, whose median overall survival does not exceed 15 months, “remains a critical clinical challenge due to its resistance to conventional treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery”, specified scientists from CRCI2NA (University of Nantes, University of Angers, Inserm, CNRS).
“When you try to reimplant the disease, the mouse doesn’t develop it.”
To reduce the risk of recurrence, they developed a treatment with a monoclonal antibody labeled with a radioactive isotope of astatine, astatine 211, “the rarest natural element on earth.” The latter targeted a surface molecule of glioblastoma associated with tumor aggressiveness, “syndecan 1”. In the context of work published in the journal eBioMedicinethe scientists administered the treatment into the brains of female mice. “Biodistribution, efficacy, toxicity, local and systemic responses were evaluated following the application of this protocol.”
The results showed that locoregional targeted therapy with the monoclonal antibody was effective in shrinking orthotopic tumors and secondary tumor sites. Another finding was that the treatment improved the animals’ survival rates, reaching up to 70%. According to the authors, long-term immunological protection was observed. “When you try to reimplant the disease, the mouse doesn’t develop it. It’s protected,” said Emmanuel GarcionInserm research director in neuro-oncology. In addition, targeting syndecan 1 allowed the administration of a low dose with a minimal toxicity profile.
Testing locoregional targeted therapy with monoclonal antibody in humans
“This is an extremely promising result for application in humans, which demonstrates the interest of radiopharmaceuticals and vectorized radiotherapy. (…) We will have to humanize the antibody, study the toxicity of the treatment… The journey is still long but the results give rise to real hope.”