New approach developed to treat dangerous brain cancer

Scientists in the US have reported success from early experiments with a new technique for combating medulloblastoma, a dangerous form of human brain cancer.

The team from the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has found that targeting cancer stem cells can halt their ability to proliferate by inhibiting enzymes that are essential for tumour progression.

As such, the treatment can destroy the ability of the cancer cells to grow and divide, making it a promising method of combating tumours that have proven resistant to other therapy types.

After demonstrating the effectiveness of the method among mice, the team is hoping to move forward with human trials, while also assessing the potential of this technique to combat other forms of cancer.

Dr Robert Wechsler-Reya, professor at the Sanford-Burnham cancer centre, said: "Our hope is that the combination of these inhibitors will prevent tumour progression and drug resistance and improve the overall effectiveness of current treatment options."

According to data from the NHS, there are about 5,000 new cases of malignant brain tumours in the UK each year, with most being caused by cancer that starts somewhere else in the body.