 Brain tumours are difficult to treat |
Scientists have identified four new drugs which they believe could provide powerful weapons against brain tumours. One of these drugs may even fight three different types of brain tumour.
The results follow tests on animals but scientists at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center in the United States say they expect similar results in humans.
Presenting their findings at a conference in Boston, they said the drugs could transform treatment for people who develop brain tumours.
"Despite our best efforts in the laboratory and the clinic, the survival rate for glioblastoma - the most common and lethal brain tumour - hasn't changed in 10 years," said Dr Jeremy Rich, who led the study.
"This new class of drugs has shown great promise in treating human tumours that were grown in mice and we feel these results are indicative of how the drugs may act in humans."
Targeting tumour
Each of the new drugs is designed to target a specific part of the brain tumour.
The first drug, called ZD6474, was found to slow the growth of three different types of tumours in mice.
It was also effective against tumours that had become resistant to chemotherapy. The second drug, called SB431542, was analysed in a test tube. It was found to block a key protein, which helps tumours to spread.
The third drug, called AEE788, was used in combination with another new drug called RAD001.
These blocked proteins that enable cells in the tumour to grow properly and ultimately to spread.
Dr Rich is planning human trials of AEE788 and RAD001 next year.
He said combining drugs seemed to be the best way of fighting the disease.
"Brain tumours are very diverse in their molecular make-up, so no single therapy will combat all of them," he said.
"Our best defence is to devise an arsenal of drugs and select the best ones for each particular tumour type."
Professor Geoffrey Pilkington at London's Institute of Psychiatry said finding new drugs to treat brain tumours is difficult.
"There are lots of drugs and approaches but the vast majority don't seem to make a difference," he told BBC News Online.
"We have also been able to cure tumours in the laboratory and in rats and mice for a long time now but unfortunately that is not being replicated in humans."
The findings were presented at the Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics meeting in Boston.
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There are lots of drugs and approaches but the vast majority don't seem to make a difference 
