American scientists have reported the development of an experimental drug for the treatment of aggressive brain tumors that can pass through the blood-brain barrier and block the growth of vessels that feed the tumor.

The developers of the drug are employees of the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Animal tests have confirmed that a new drug called SapC-DOPS selectively blocks angiogenesis, i.e. the development of tumor vessels. This tool has a serious chance to become a new word in the treatment of brain cancer..

Glioblastoma multiforme (MFH) is a common and aggressive type of brain cancer with an average life expectancy of only 15 months.. About 3.5 thousand new cases of glioblastoma multiforme are expected this year in the United States alone.. The main obstacle to effective treatment of MHF is the poor penetration of chemotherapeutic drugs through the BBB - the blood-brain barrier. This natural barrier protects the brain from toxic substances circulating in the blood, but at the same time prevents drugs from getting there..

Dr. Balvin Kaur, an employee of the Dardinger Laboratory of Neuroscience and one of the developers of the new drug, says: “Few drugs can penetrate the BBB and specifically affect tumor cells.. Our preclinical study showed that SapC-DOPS has both properties, effectively suppresses the development of tumor vessels and is able to inhibit the growth of MPH and other solid tumors. "

An article about the new development of American scientists was recently published in the specialized publication Molecular Therapy.

SapC-DOPS (saposin-C dioleoylphosphatidylserine) is a unique drug that, in a preclinical study, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, and some other solid tumors.. In fact, these are nanovesicles that penetrate directly to the tumor, causing its self-destruction (apoptosis).

Key findings from preclinical studies:.

• SapC-DOPS is able to bind to phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) on the surface of tumor cells.

• SapC-DOPS blocks phosphatidylserine tumor target cells.

• SapC-DOPS has a pronounced ability to inhibit vascular growth in vitro and in animal models, probably due to its effect on PtdSer.

• Cells in a state of hypoxia caused by inhibition of angiogenesis become even more sensitive to SapC-DOPS.

Kaur said: “Based on our results, we can assume that a combination of SapC-DOPS, radiation and chemotherapy is possible synergistic effect”.

medbe. ru.