“Through VeloSano funding, we’re now able to truly investigate how this common herpesvirus is impacting glioblastoma progression,” says Christine O'Connor, PhD. “The research we do in our labs, at our benches, can be very translational. We’re able to rapidly apply what we learn in the lab to patient care and to improving cancer treatments and overall survival.”
Glioblastoma, a common and malignant brain tumor, may be influenced by cytomegalovirus (CMV), an even more common infection that is a type of herpesvirus.
Even with our standard-of-care treatments, glioblastoma has a very poor prognosis as therapy inevitably leads to resistance. The median survival time is a dismal 12-15 months. Christine O’Connor, PhD, recognizes the importance of coming up with new avenues for therapies. She is taking a look at how CMV, which is incredibly common in most of us, expands glioblastoma stem cells.
“These stem cells are refractory to treatment, and they have tumor-initiating potential,” says Dr. O’Connor. “So, these stem cells often are what lead to brain tumor recurrence.”
This novel study aims to understand how this progression manifests and how it impacts overall survival. Because CMV is a type of herpesvirus, it remains with people for life. Most people with CMV do not show symptoms.
“We’re hoping by understanding the mechanisms by which the virus expands these stem cells that we can identify new avenues for novel therapies,” says Dr. O’Connor. “In our case, we’re hoping we will be able to treat the tumor by actually treating the virus.”
Early results from clinical trials reveal targeting the virus extends the median survival of glioblastoma patients to up to 40 months.
100% For The Cure
