Until now, glioblastoma has been considered the most lethal brain cancer in adults. After two decades, there is no substantial change in survival rates. Classic treatment modalities involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have often shown limited benefits, mainly due to the tumor’s underlying resistance mechanisms or due to the inefficacy of drug delivery to the brain itself. In this context, a new research project funded by the la Caixa Foundation is aimed at rethinking the treatment for this disease. Among the partners of this project is ICVS researcher Bruno Costa.
Led by Bruno Sarmento at i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, the “Loco-radiolysed treatment for glioblastoma self-enhanced chemotherapy and targeted RNA delivery” project proposes a completely new approach: the development of an implantable system able to release multiple anti-cancer agents directly into the brain following surgery. By placing the treatment at the tumor site, the team intends to overcome the barriers that limit current therapies and reduce patients’ exposure to the side effects associated with systemic chemotherapy.
In development, the implant is designed to slowly release a combination of chemotherapeutic drugs, compounds inhibiting treatment resistance, and RNA-based drugs capable of highly precise targeting of cancer cells. Tests in laboratory models have demonstrated promising results to date, including drastic decreases in tumor growth. If successful, the technology could improve the chances of survival and the quality of life for affected patients, while also leading the way for comparable treatments for other types of brain tumors.
Bruno Costa
The consortium brings together expertise from Portugal and the United Kingdom, including Álvaro Mata from the University of Nottingham. Among such contributions in this collaboration, Bruno Costa provides specialized knowledge from ICVS, fortifying the multifaceted approach that the complexity of glioblastoma requires.
With this in mind, the project “Loco-radiolysed treatment for glioblastoma self-enhanced chemotherapy and targeted RNA delivery” displays considerable investment into groundbreaking cancer research, with an overall budget of €989,290. The la Caixa Foundation Health Research Grants support high-quality biomedical projects with strong potential to advance scientific knowledge and deliver meaningful social impact.
