Researchers Unveil Nasal Drop That Might Stop Deadly Brain Cancer: A Breakthrough in Glioblastoma Treatment
Researchers Unveil Nasal Drop That Might Stop Deadly Brain Cancer, offering fresh hope for patients battling one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of brain cancer—glioblastoma. This new therapy uses a simple nasal drop to bypass the blood-brain barrier and directly activate the body’s immune response inside the tumour, marking a major shift in how brain cancer could be treated in the future.
A Simple Nasal Drop Could Change Brain Cancer Treatment
Glioblastoma has long been one of the most challenging cancers to treat due to its rapid growth, invasive behaviour and resistance to existing therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. A major obstacle has always been the blood–brain barrier, which prevents most drugs from reaching tumour sites.
Researchers are now exploring nasal delivery as a powerful alternative. The nose contains pathways that connect directly to the brain through the olfactory and trigeminal nerves, allowing medicines to reach the tumour without being filtered by the bloodstream. This approach promises safer, more efficient delivery and fewer side effects.
How the Nasal Drop Reaches and Attacks Brain Tumours
In this study, scientists used cGAS-agonistic spherical nucleic acids delivered through nasal drops. These compounds stimulate the body’s immune defence system while acting directly on cancer cells.
When administered nasally, the therapy activates the cGAS-STING pathway, a crucial immune signalling mechanism. This triggers:
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Production of interferons
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Recruitment of immune cells
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Increased activity of T-cells and natural killer cells
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Reduced immunosuppressive signals inside the tumour
As a result, the tumour environment becomes less supportive of cancer growth and more responsive to the body’s natural immune attack.
A Dual-Action Therapy With Promise for the Future
This nasal drop therapy doesn’t just deliver anti-tumour agents—it reprograms the tumour microenvironment, making it more vulnerable to immune-based treatments. Unlike standard therapies that only target tumour cells, this approach strengthens the immune system for long-term defence.
The delivery method is also non-invasive, repeatable and easier to administer compared to intracranial injections.
What This Breakthrough Could Mean for Patients
If proven effective in human trials, this therapy could:
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Improve survival outcomes
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Work alongside chemotherapy or radiation
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Reduce toxicity compared to traditional treatments
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Open the door to new nasal-based therapies for neurological diseases
Scientists believe this marks a promising new era in brain cancer research, where nasal delivery could reshape how aggressive brain tumours are treated.
