On September 29, 2024, researchers reported significant advancements in the treatment of brain cancer, specifically meningiomas, through a new radiopharmaceutical therapy. This development could have life-changing implications for thousands of patients worldwide.
Meningiomas, the most common primary brain tumors, can cause severe disability or death by compressing vital nerves. Traditional treatment options often include surgery or radiation, but aggressive cases known as refractory meningiomas leave patients with limited options.
A recent Phase II clinical trial presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) conference, led by Dr. Kenneth W. Merrell from the Mayo Clinic, explored the efficacy of radiopharmaceutical therapy. Known as theranostics, this approach combines diagnosis and treatment using radioactive substances that target tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.
The study specifically investigated the effects of the radiopharmaceutical 177Lu-Dotatate, already approved for neuroendocrine tumors with similar biological characteristics to meningiomas. Twenty patients with refractory meningiomas received four infusions of 177Lu-Dotatate at eight-week intervals. Results indicated that 78% of patients experienced no progression after six months, a significant improvement over the previously established survival rate of 26%.
Dr. Merrell emphasized that these findings could set a new standard for treating patients with this aggressive tumor type, as there is currently no established treatment for refractory meningiomas. The median progression-free survival was reported at 11.5 months, with an overall one-year survival rate of 88.9%. Dr. Jeffrey B. Johnson, a leading researcher, highlighted the advantages of modern PET imaging combined with the theranostic approach, aiding in identifying patients most likely to benefit from this targeted radiation therapy.
While most patients tolerated the treatment well, some experienced side effects, including decreased blood cell counts, and in rare cases, more severe reactions like grade 3 hepatitis and seizures. Given the persistent challenges of treating meningiomas due to their location and resistance to traditional therapies, this research offers a potentially new and hopeful avenue for treatment. Radiopharmaceuticals, previously shown effective in treating thyroid and prostate cancers, may become essential tools in addressing other serious diseases.