Researchers Identify Potential Vulnerability in Aggressive Brain Cancer
Glioblastoma remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, but researchers may have identified a new approach to weaken the disease's defenses. A team found that blocking a protein called SET prevented tumors from forming in laboratory models, while targeting related proteins made existing cancer cells more vulnerable to radiation.
The strategy centers on restoring activity of an enzyme called PP2A. Glioblastoma cells appear to actively suppress this enzyme, which normally helps regulate cell growth and survival. By blocking SET—a protein that inhibits PP2A—researchers observed that tumors could not establish themselves in preclinical testing.
The findings suggest a two-pronged approach: directly blocking SET to prevent tumor formation, and targeting related regulatory proteins to make established tumors more susceptible to conventional treatments like radiation. While the preclinical results are promising, researchers emphasize that human testing will be required to determine whether this approach is safe and effective for patients.