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New therapeutic strategy could open the door to preventing brain metastasis

Researchers have identified a transient phase during which metastatic seeds are particularly vulnerable to elimination using three drugs, two of which are already approved. This discovery opens a potential route to stopping the disease before it becomes clinically apparent, paving the way towards prevention and potentially preventing r...

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2026

Alliance trial finds fractionated radiosurgery reduces cancer recurrence after surgery for large brain metastases

A Phase III trial found that delivering focused radiation therapy over three to five sessions after surgery for a large brain metastasis reduced cancer recurrence at the surgical site. Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery also showed a trend in controlling brain metastases that had not been removed surgically. Median overall survival...

SourceAlliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 28, 2026

Restoring MHC-I expression could strengthen immune responses against CNS cancers

Researchers explored strategies to restore MHC-I expression in CNS cancers to make them more visible to the immune system. Approaches include epigenetic therapies, AAV vectors, PCSK9 inhibition, and modifying the tumor microenvironment. However, efficient delivery, antigen processing, and a limited neoantigen repertoire remain signific...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 9, 2026

How the developing human brain takes instructions: Two UCLA studies reveal what guides its most important stem cells

Two UCLA studies published in Cell and Science uncover the role of metabolism and physical signals in guiding radial glia to produce specific cell types in the developing human cortex. Metabolic research found that the pentose phosphate pathway influences cell fate, while thalamic projections make direct physical contact with radial gl...

Laser therapy offers weapon against deadly brain tumors

A large analysis of patient outcomes shows that tumor ablation and treatment timing extend survival in patients with glioblastoma. The study identifies factors leading to the best outcomes, providing critical new information to improve therapy for these patients.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2026

Chinese Neurosurgical Journal reviews explore blood–brain barrier-aware nanomedicines for glioblastoma

Recent research explores the use of nanomaterial-based drug delivery to increase treatment efficacy for glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor with poor prognosis. Stimuli-responsive and biomimetic nanomedicines are designed to overcome the blood–brain barrier and deliver drugs selectively within tumors.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 12, 2026

Chinese Neurosurgical Journal study updates guidelines for prolactinoma care

A multidisciplinary consensus updates treatment guidance for prolactinomas, emphasizing early recognition, individualized management strategies, and advanced imaging. The recommendations cover screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 13, 2026

Breakthrough treatment for weight dysregulation after brain tumors

A clinical trial has shown that setmelanotide, a new drug, can achieve significant weight loss in people whose weight has become dysregulated following treatment for a brain tumor. The treatment resulted in a 20% reduction in BMI, with participants experiencing substantial health benefits.

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 8, 2026

Radiation therapy enhances immune environment in brain metastases, improving treatment response

Researchers found that radiation therapy not only targets tumor cells but also activates immune pathways to make tumors more receptive to immunotherapy. The study suggests that radiation-immunotherapy combination strategies could improve patient outcomes by reshaping the surrounding immune landscape and recruiting T cells.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJun 17, 2026

UCLA researchers awarded NIH grant to improve detection and treatment of glioblastoma

Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have been awarded a $3.2 million NIH grant to develop advanced imaging and surgical strategies for improving glioblastoma outcomes. The team aims to use pH-based imaging to guide precise tumor removal and explore targeted therapies that target the tumor's acid-regulating systems.

University of Ottawa-led study uncovers hidden network fueling brain cancer's aggressive growth; discovery could help dismantle treatment resistance

A University of Ottawa-led study has discovered a hidden network driving glioblastoma's aggressive growth, highlighting a promising target for next-generation therapies. The research reveals that a protein called OSMR plays a critical role in tumor progression and supports the survival of brain tumour stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 9, 2026

Using patient-derived research models to study deadly DNA loops

Researchers used patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to study deadly DNA loops in cancer cells. They found significant similarities between human tumor samples and PDX models, including consistent presence of extra copies of oncogenes. These findings suggest that ecDNA-positive tumor cells may drive tumor growth and recurrence.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalGenome Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2026

Why some cancers are worse than others

Researchers found that smaller tetraploid cancer cells are more aggressive and tumorigenic, associated with worse prognosis and lower survival rates in several cancer types. This discovery challenges the conventional understanding of tetraploidy's role in cancer progression.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 25, 2026

Share proton therapy across national borders and plan five new centres in Romania, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland and Poland to maximise access for patients in Europe

A new study aims to make proton therapy available to more patients in Europe by planning five new centres across Romania, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, and Poland. Currently, 59% of European cancer patients have access to the treatment, but this can be increased to 87% with strategic location and expansion.

SourceEuropean Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 14, 2026

UCLA researchers help lead national effort to improve care for patients with glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor that has seen modest improvements in survival rates over the past decade. Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are part of a national effort to develop more personalized approaches to care, combining advanced imaging and analysis of tumor tissue samples and blood test...

AACR: Targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19’s impact on breast cancer outcomes, AI in cancer diagnosis and more

UCLA investigators present new research on targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19's impact on breast cancer outcomes, and AI in cancer diagnosis. These studies offer insights into overcoming drug resistance, enhancing immune responses, and improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

An avatar to study pediatric brain cancer

A team of researchers has created a 3D model of pediatric brain tumors using biopsy-derived organoids, allowing for more accurate testing of new drugs. The model, which accurately reproduces the human environment, preserves the molecular characteristics of the original tumor and maintains cellular heterogeneity.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Protocols·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2026

New discovery on brain metastasis reveals how tumors hijack immune cells to use them to their advantage

A recent study has revealed that brain tumors use a protein called MIF to reprogram immune cells, such as macrophages and microglia, to drive tumor growth. The researchers have identified a drug, ibudilast, which can block this process, slowing metastasis in animal models and fresh patient samples.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2026

New discovery reveals hidden driver of deadly brain cancer

Researchers at Adelaide University identified CD47 as a critical mechanism driving glioblastoma growth and spread. The study found that removing or blocking CD47 reduced tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, leading to improved survival times in animal models.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2026