An implantable drug delivery device to improve the treatment of glioblastoma

Bruno Sarmento

i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, University of Porto, Portugal

Glioblastoma, the most lethal brain cancer in adults, has seen little improvement in treatment over the past two decades. Current therapies, which include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, often fail due to the cancer's resistance and the difficulty of delivering drugs to the brain. This project aims to revolutionize glioblastoma treatment by developing an implantable system that releases anti-cancer drugs directly into the brain after surgery. This system will gradually release a combination of drugs that target the cancer more effectively and reduce the need for daily chemotherapy.

The project involves designing a new class of implant that can release chemotherapy drugs, inhibitors of therapeutic resistance, and powerful RNA-based drugs that target cancer cells. This innovative approach is expected to improve drug delivery, reduce side effects, and enhance patient survival and quality of life.

Preliminary data shows promising results, with the new system significantly reducing tumor growth in laboratory models. The expected outcomes include improved survival rates, reduced side effects, and a new standard of care for glioblastoma patients. This could pave the way for similar treatments for other types of brain tumors, making a significant impact on public health and healthcare costs.

• Bruno Costa, University of Minho, Portugal

• Alvaro Mata, University of Nottingham, UK

Loco-radiolysed treatment for glioblastoma self-enhanced chemotherapy and targeted RNA delivery

€989.290,00