Innovative Time-Release Gel Offers New Hope for Treating Aggressive Brain Tumors

High-grade gliomas are among the most challenging brain tumors to treat due to their invasive nature and tendency to recur even after surgical removal. Currently, standard treatments including surgery, radiation, and systemic chemotherapy offer limited survival benefits, as residual tumor cells often survive and cause tumor regrowth during the interval before radiotherapy. Addressing this critical window, researchers from National Taiwan University have developed a novel local drug-delivery gel designed to be applied directly into the surgical cavity post-tumor excision.

This cutting-edge gel provides sequential delivery of platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents, notably carboplatin and platinum-doped calcium carbonate particles. The initial phase involves the immediate release of carboplatin, aiming to eradicate remaining glioma cells right after surgery. Subsequently, the gel releases platinum more gradually through intracellular endocytosis, maintaining therapeutic levels within the tissue and synergizing with radiotherapy.

The gel's unique tissue adhesive properties ensure close contact with the surgical site, maximizing drug delivery efficacy to infiltrative tumor tissue. Laboratory tests demonstrated the gel induces significant DNA damage in glioma cells, resulting in apoptosis, which is crucial for effective tumor control. When tested in animal models with implanted brain tumors, the combination of this gel with radiotherapy led to a marked reduction in tumor relapse, highlighting its potential to improve treatment outcomes.

One of the most promising aspects of this technology is its ability to reduce the need for higher radiation doses. By boosting local chemotherapy effects and enhancing tumor sensitivity to radiation, it allows for safer, lower-dose radiotherapy, minimizing side effects. Experts involved in the study emphasize that this approach not only enhances treatment efficacy but also offers a safer, more targeted therapy option for patients at high risk of tumor recurrence.

This research offers a significant step forward in glioma treatment, leveraging innovative drug delivery to maximize therapeutic impact while reducing systemic toxicity and radiation side effects. The study was published in the Chemical Engineering Journal and underscores the potential of localized, sequential drug delivery systems in improving brain tumor management.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-gel-aggressive-brain-tumors.html