Trail uses immunotherapy to target brain cancers

Brain tumours called glioblastoma are the most common cause of cancer deaths in people under 40, yet account for 2% of national cancer research funding.

An immunotherapy trial at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee aims to bring hope to patients.

The pioneering trial for a treatment for the aggressive cancer has been launched by charity Funding Neuro.

It will involve 10 patients whose immune systems will target their tumour.

The trial will use a new vaccine for glioblastoma that was developed in the US for a herpes virus.

Scientists say this is an “exciting opportunity” to translate a discovery from the lab into an effective treatment.

Neurosurgeon Dr Kismet Hossain-Ibrahim, based at Dundee University School of Medicine, spent time working with Professor John Sampson and his team at the worldleading Duke University Medical Centre, North Carolina.

He hopes the Dundee trial will move global research on and bring direct benefits to patients in Scotland.

Dr Hossain-Ibrahim said: “There is a real drive to change the currently bleak outcome for patients diagnosed with brain tumours. It is a privilege that Professor Sampson is allowing me to utilise Duke University’s pioneering immunotherapy treatment for Scottish patients with glioblastoma.

“Immunotherapy offers the best chance of longterm survival for these patients, whose current life expectancy is 12-14 months.”