Researchers from Brown University and Harvard Medical School, among other institutions, have found potential in a drug made with indirubin to treat malignant brain tumors in mice. The medicine, known as 6’-bromoindirubin acetoxime (BiA), delayed tumor growth and enhanced survival rates for the animals. This breakthrough study presents a new method of attacking glioblastoma cancerous cells. The findings were published on April 14th via the publication Cell Reports Medicine and could bring BiA closer to being tested during human clinical trials.
The most aggressive and prevalent type of brain cancer is glioblastoma, for which chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the standard treatment. However, these measures only improve symptoms without halting or curing cancer. Indirubin is a natural substance found in indigo plants and present in traditional Chinese medicine Dang Gui Long Hui Wan that has been used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia. Various derivatives of indirubin have demonstrated potential as cancer treatments through multiple mechanisms.
By utilizing a compound known as indirubin, the researchers displayed its ability to increase survival rates in mice suffering from malignant brain tumors. Additionally, they examined an alternative formulation of the drug that would be simpler to administer – thus bringing them closer to conducting clinical trials involving human participants. Sean Lawler, who serves as lead author and researcher at the Legorreta Cancer Center of Brown University, noted that this medication targets several key characteristics of the disease.
A nanoparticle formulation of BiA was tested on mice glioblastoma tumors, focusing on how it would affect the immune system. As well as slowing tumor cell growth and proliferation, BiA also increased survival through its impact on immunotherapeutic targets.
Lawler, who develops lab therapeutic approaches for the treatment of brain cancer, said that the drug impacted the immune system in these mouse experiments in a way that could improve clinical immunotherapy. It is planned for the researchers to continue testing the drug with chemotherapy and radiation as part of a National Cancer Institute grant, which will enable them to develop clinical trials for glioblastoma patients.
In spite of decades of research into glioblastoma, Lawler says that there have not been many significant breakthroughs in treatment. Lawler said that there haven’t been many significant findings that have had a meaningful impact on survival in the past 20 years, so we’re looking for new approaches eagerly. We are excited about this research because it offers a new approach.”