An approved drug shows promise against some high-grade glioma cells
Original title: Re-purposed FDA-approved drug could help treat high-grade glioma
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was done on cells in a lab, not in people. It is a very early step.
This was tested on tumor cells in the lab, not yet in people with glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells. Those are the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4. The grade says how the tumor is expected to act. See the glossary.
The short version
A drug already approved for a different cancer had an effect on some high-grade glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells. Those are the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4. The grade says how the tumor is expected to act. See the glossary tumor cells.
What was studied. Researchers tested high-grade glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells. Those are the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4. The grade says how the tumor is expected to act. See the glossary tumor cells that had changes in a gene called PDGFRA. They treated those cells with a drug called avapritinib.
What they found. The glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells. Those are the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4. The grade says how the tumor is expected to act. See the glossary tumor cells with PDGFRA changes responded to the drug. Avapritinib is already approved in the United States. It is approved for a different kind of tumor, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, with a change in part of the PDGFRA gene.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: Some brain tumors carry changes in the PDGFRA gene. Because this drug already exists and is approved for another cancer, it may be quicker to study in glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells. Those are the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4. The grade says how the tumor is expected to act. See the glossary. If you are curious whether your own tumor has a PDGFRA change, you can ask your care team about tumor gene testing.
What it doesn't mean: This does not mean the drug treats brain tumors in people. The work was done on tumor cells, not in patients with glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells. Those are the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4. The grade says how the tumor is expected to act. See the glossary. The drug is not approved for glioma, and no one should expect it from a doctor today. It is not a cure. Many drugs that work on cells in the lab do not work in people. This is early science and it is a long way from everyday care.
Source: ScienceDaily, March 13, 2025 · Read the original
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