Scientists from Brown University have found that a traditional Chinese medicine drug can improve the survival rate of mice with brain tumors, glioblastoma. The research was published in the journal Cell Report Medicine.
The scientists used indirubin, a substance found in the indigo plant and used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has previously shown some efficacy in the treatment of myeloid leukemia.
Indirubin was tested on mice with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer. The standard of care is chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, which can relieve symptoms but do not cure the cancer. A study published 10 years ago showed that indirubin slowed the growth of glioblastoma tumors in mice. However, at the time, researchers were unable to explain why.
In the new study, the scientists used a modification of indirubin BiA. The drug not only slowed the growth and proliferation of tumor cells, but also improved survival by targeting important immune targets.
The scientists stated that the peculiarity of the drug is that it acts immediately on a number of mechanisms that prevent the cancer from adapting and increase the chances of cure.