Breakthrough in GBM therapy using new hydrogel and FLASH radiotherapy « Charlie Teo Foundation

Breakthrough in GBM therapy using new hydrogel and FLASH radiotherapy

12 December 2024

Supported by a AUD$295,278 Better Tools Grant from the Charlie Teo Foundation, A/Prof. David Cormode and A/Prof Jay Dorsey, and their laboratories have made significant strides in developing local drug delivery for GBM with a cutting-edge technique called FLASH radiotherapy.

GBM has an average life expectancy of just 15 months, making the need for new treatments urgent.

A/Prof. Cormode’s and A/Prof Jay Dorsey’s research focuses on using a radiation-responsive drug-loaded hydrogel, a soft, drug-infused polymer that can be administered directly to the tumour site after surgery. This hydrogel acts like a sponge, slowly releasing the drug over time, and can release drugs in response to radiotherapy.

When combined with FLASH radiotherapy—a lightning-fast radiation treatment that takes only about a second—the results were remarkable: 86% of the immunocompetent mice treated with this combination survived to the end of the study, compared to none in the control groups (untreated, FLASH alone, or hydrogel alone).

This novel approach ensures high concentrations of drugs are delivered directly to the target site, while avoiding unnecessary systemic doses to other organs. Additionally, patients would require fewer healthcare visits since FLASH radiotherapy is administered in just a few sessions, with the hydrogel releasing the drug over time.

Nanomedicine and Molecular Imaging Laboratory: Photo credit: X (formerly Twitter) @DavidCormode
Key Findings and Impact of this Research Grant

One of the key achievements of this research was demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of this combination therapy in an immunocompetent model of GBM. This means the treatment was tested in a model that closely mimics the human immune system, making the findings highly relevant for future clinical applications.

The impact of this research extends beyond the lab. The project has served as a launchpad for two additional directions. First, the team is studying the use of SpaceOAR, an FDA-approved hydrogel, as a drug delivery vehicle. This hydrogel can be loaded with nanoparticles and drugs, which are then released to kill GBM cells. Second, they are exploring the combination of local drug administration with CAR T-cell therapy, a promising immunotherapy approach. By locally administering chemicals that attract immune cells, they aim to enhance the accumulation and activation of CAR T-cells, improving therapeutic outcomes.

Find out more about this Research Grant.