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In a groundbreaking effort, drugs initially developed to combat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) are being trialled for the first time in patients with multiple brain tumours. This innovative clinical trial is being conducted by scientists at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth, UK.
The focus of the trial is to determine whether anti-retroviral medications, specifically Ritonavir and Lopinavir, could be effective in treating individuals with Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2). NF2 is a rare inherited genetic disorder that causes tumours such as schwannoma (including acoustic neuroma), ependymoma, and meningioma to develop on the membrane surrounding the brain.
Professor Oliver Hanemann, who is leading the trial, emphasized the potential impact of this research. “This could be the first step towards a systemic treatment for tumours related to NF2, both for patients who have inherited NF2 and developed multiple tumours, as well as patients who have a one-off NF2 mutation and have developed a tumour as a result,” he stated.
Hanemann added, “If results are positive and the research develops into a larger clinical trial, it would be the most significant change for patients with this condition, for whom there is currently no effective treatment.”
The trial, set to run for a year, involves a rigorous process where patients will undergo a tumour biopsy and blood test before starting a 30-day treatment regimen with Ritonavir and Lopinavir. Following this treatment period, patients will undergo another biopsy and blood test to determine if the drug combination has successfully entered tumour cells and achieved its intended effect.
This research marks a hopeful development for those affected by NF2, offering a potential new avenue for treatment where none previously existed. As the trial progresses, the medical community and patients alike are watching closely for outcomes that could transform the approach to managing this challenging condition.
