Enhancing the efficacy of treatment for Glioblastoma Multiforme through the combination therapy of R-roscovitine with TRAIL
Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumour and no cure presently exists. These brain tumours are highly resistant to traditional cancer treatment strategies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As a result the average survival rate for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive form of glioma, is only 12 months. Data from the National Cancer Registry indicates that on average there are over 300 new cases of primary brain tumours diagnosed each year in Ireland. Even more disturbingly, the median age of death from brain cancer in Ireland is 65, ranking brain cancer the 3rd deadliest cancer in Ireland, when comparing the median age of death from all cancers. Exploring the pathways involved in the inherent resistance of gliomas to treatment is critical in the development of more effective clinical treatment strategies.
This study will focus on the development of a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of GBM by targeting one of the most fundamental survival processes in GBM, their ability to elude a particular form of cell death termed apoptosis. Our research aims to determine if our proposed novel drug combination can re-ignite these cell death pathways in GBM. Collectively, this body of work will investigate if our novel therapy can surpass or supplement current treatments for GBM patients, a critical development that is essential if GBM patient survival rates are to improve in the future.
This project is funded by HRB.