Scientists find new treatment for brain cancer in children Scientists have succeeded in reaching a revolutionary treatment, the first of its kind, which was specifically devised to combat brain cancer in children. The new treatment targets a weak spot in childhood brain cancer (DIPG), and treatment may offer new hope for rare Stone Man syndrome, in which muscles and ligaments turn into bones.
According to the British newspaper "The Sun", this revolutionary treatment is the first of its kind in 20 years, as there were no drugs to treat brain cancer in adults or children during that period.
In a study by London Cancer Research Institute scientists, they found that there are mutations in a gene called "ACVR1" that are found only in pediatric brain tumors (DIPG) and stoned man syndrome.
Scientists have implanted cells that simulate brain cancer in the lab, and have tested 11 prototypes of ACVR1-effective drugs in mice with brain cancer.
The scientists noted that two of the initial drugs were very effective in eliminating mutations in the ACVR1 gene, while their effect was very small on healthy brain cells. The scientists also combined the two drugs in one drug, and tested its effectiveness in mice.
Indeed, they found that the new drug, whose name has not been released, was able to eliminate brain cancer cells, in addition to shrinking tumors in mice.
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To ensure its effectiveness in humans, scientists have implanted human DIPG brain cancer cells and found that the new drug reduced tumors and even lengthened the survival rate by 25%, that is, from 67 to 82 days.
Researcher “Chris Jones” said: “We have not seen progress like the one achieved by the study for decades. DIPG is a deadly and rare type that affects children, and discovering the relationship between ACVR1 gene mutations and this type of cancer opens the door for hope for effective future drugs that help in the process treatment".
Reports revealed that M4K Pharma, a children''s medicine company, will begin clinical trials to test the revolutionary drug in children with brain cancer in 2021.
