New discovery could revolutionise treatment for deadly brain cancer
- New research indicates that chemotherapy for aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma, may be most effective if administered immediately after surgery, rather than several weeks later.
- Scientists discovered that the blood-brain barrier, which typically blocks drug access to the brain, is temporarily disrupted during two critical periods: 15 minutes and 48 to 72 hours post-operation.
- This finding challenges the current standard practice of delaying chemotherapy for four to six weeks after surgery, suggesting a potential paradigm shift in treatment protocols.
- Experts believe that exploiting these temporary “windows of opportunity” could allow for a more direct and potent attack on residual cancerous cells, significantly improving patient outcomes.
- The study’s publication follows an emotional plea from Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn, a glioblastoma patient, for greater investment in brain cancer research and a national lead in the UK.
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