'Dexanabinol' may Treat Brain Cancer

In a US cancer centre, researchers are evaluating the safety and tolerability of a synthetic cannabinoid called dexanabinol (ETS2101).

Delivered as a weekly intravenous infusion, the drug is being tested in patients with all forms of brain cancer, both primary and metastatic.

Experimental Method of Delivering Drugs to the Brain Shows Potential in Treating Brain Cancer
An experimental treatment is being seen as a possible way of treating a number of central nervous system diseases including brain cancer and neurological complications of HIV.

"In this Phase I study, we are examining the safety of multiple doses of dexanabinol, extent of penetration into the brain, and suitability for future trials," Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, principal investigator, and director of neuro-oncology, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, said.

"What we hope to determine is the safe and optimal dose of drug in the brain," Kesari said.

Dexanabinol is a cannabinoid derivative that causes no psychotropic effects.

Vaccine Significantly Lengthens Survival by Targeting Malignant Brain Cancer Antigens
Researchers have revealed that an experimental immune-based therapy more than doubled median survival of patients diagnosed with the most aggressive malignant brain tumor.

It was tested previously as a neuroprotective in patients with traumatic brain injury.

During these trials the drug was found to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Key Mutations in Most Common Childhood Brain Cancer Discovered
Researchers link specific gene mutations to each of the four recognized subtypes of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor of children.

More recently, researchers at e-Therapeutics plc, who are supporting the current trial, showed that dexanabinol kills cultured cancer cells derived from many tumor types.

Additional research in Kesari's lab demonstrated the drug's anti-cancer effects in patient-derived brain cancer cell lines.

3D Virtual Reality Simulator Helps Trainees Learn Skills and Techniques for Brain Cancer Surgery
Neurosurgery trainees can now learn and practice their skills for brain cancer surgery on a virtual reality simulator.

Source-ANI

'dexanabinol' may Treat Brain Cancer