Brain tumors, particularly gliomas, can significantly impact a person’s cognitive and physical abilities.
Gliomas have been known to cause a decline in cognitive and physical function, particularly in cases of glioblastoma, the most fatal form of a brain tumor in adults. These tumors can compress healthy brain tissue, cause swelling, or compete for blood supply, impairing normal brain functions.
The exact reasons behind cognitive decline in brain tumor patients have long remained a mystery. However, recent research has shed light on a previously unknown mechanism. They discovered that brain tumors remodel neuronal circuits and exploit brain activity to fuel their own growth.
Their study found that cancer cells produce substances acting as neurotransmitters, leading to neuron hyperactivity and accelerating tumor proliferation.
To address this issue, the researchers explored potential treatments. They discovered that blocking a protein called thrombospondin-1, secreted by tumor cells and contributing to hyperactivity, could halt tumor growth.
By targeting the communication between healthy brain cells and cancer cells, these advances could complement existing therapies, improve quality of life, and enhance survival rates for individuals with brain cancer.