Other Treatments

A number of drugs that target specific mechanisms associated with brain cancer are being tested. Combinations of some of these drugs with or without standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy may prove to be more effective than the use of any one treatment. It should be noted that none of these drugs at this time are producing cures, although some are improving survival.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy aims at using modalities that boost the patient's own immune system's ability to seek out and destroy cancerous cells.

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Radioimmunotherapy with Monoclonal Antibodies. Radioimmunotherapy is showing special promise as a treatment approach to brain tumors. It typically uses monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), which are genetically engineered drugs designed to work against a specific target. MAbs are bound with radioactive substances and delivered directly into the brain and sometimes into the tumor. The MAbs are specifically designed to lock with the surface of certain cells in the tumor. Once they do so, the radioactive substances destroy the cell. The approach is essentially mini-radiation therapy without the damage or severe side effects of standard radiation treatments. A number of different radioimmunotherapies are being investigated, and trials of some are reporting improved survival rates in high-grade gliomas. Some experts believe this approach could prove to be the most effective therapy against these cancers.

Interleukins. Interleukins are natural proteins created by the immune system. Certain tumor cells carry receptors for specific interleukins, which are being investigated for a possible therapeutic role. For example, some drugs combine an interleukin with an agent that is toxic to cancer cells. The interleukin locks onto the receptor on the cancer cell and the toxic chemical enters the tumor with the intent to kill it. Some interleukins are also being investigated alone for their own tumor-cell killing properties.