Targeted Drug Combo May Be Useful for This Rare Brain Tumor – Part Two
From immunotherapy to DNA origami to targeted drug combo, various new treatments in cancer research have scientists excited.
In this episode, we will learn more about the targeted drug combo.
Craniopharyngiomas are extremely dangerous brain tumors. They are tumors that generally form near the hypothalamus or pituitary glands. From children to adults, craniopharyngiomas can strike anyone. These types of brain tumors have two subtypes: adamantinomatous and papillary. Papillary craniopharyngiomas are more likely to attack adults,
Craniopharyngiomas do not spread anywhere in the body; however, their position in the brain makes it devastating for people. Once stricken by craniopharyngiomas, they can cause varied neurological symptoms. In the past, surgeries were not enough to move entire tumors because of their propensity to attach to brain structures, vital glands, and blood vessels.
An article published by the National Cancer Institute mentions the following:
“That presents serious problems because craniopharyngioma tissue left in place after surgery almost always starts to grow again. Radiation therapy is often used to kill tumor cells that can’t be removed surgically. But this treatment can also damage healthy brain tissue.
Both craniopharyngioma growth and treatment often cause life-altering health problems, including hormone imbalances, vision damage, cognitive difficulties, and diabetes.”
The clinical trial of the targeted drug combo enabled researchers to find an effective cure for craniopharyngioma. The success of the combination of vemurafenib and cobimetinib helped scientists treat patients with a targeted drug combo.
Out of the 16 patients in the trial, 15 patients had their tumors shrunk, giving researchers a chance to treat other patients with craniopharyngioma.
The National Cancer Institute article mentions the following:
“‘We started seeing these dramatic responses, and the treating physicians were coming to us and saying, ‘Is it okay if we delay surgery? Is it okay if we delay radiation?” said Dr. Galanis. “So we ended up modifying the study to allow patients to keep receiving the combination drug treatment given how impressive the response was, and how well patients were tolerating the drugs.’
The researchers estimated that, among all 16 participants, almost 60% wouldn’t experience cancer progression for at least 2 years after treatment.
There was also some evidence that the combination treatment could shrink tumors enough to limit the damage from subsequent radiation therapy to areas of the brain that control critical functions, such as vision. Further analyses of these data are ongoing, explained Dr. Galanis. But if more limited radiation is needed, ‘that will mean less long-term side effects,’ she said.”
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