Time-released gel delivers a targeted strike against aggressive brain tumours

High-grade gliomas are notoriously difficult to treat, with high rates of recurrence even after surgical removal. Residual tumour cells often survive the period before radiotherapy, creating a window of vulnerability that conventional chemotherapy struggles to address.

Now, researchers at National Taiwan University, led by Professor Feng-Huei Lin and Dr Jason Lin, have developed a novel injectable gel designed to fill the surgical cavity and release chemotherapy drugs in a precise, time-controlled sequence. Published in the Chemical Engineering Journal [1], this approach maintains therapeutic drug levels directly in the brain, maximising tumour cell kill while minimising systemic exposure.

The gel works in two stages. Immediately after surgery, carboplatin is released to suppress residual glioma cells. This is followed by a gradual release of platinum from calcium carbonate particles, which continue to attack tumour cells over time and prime them for subsequent radiotherapy.

Laboratory and animal studies showed that the gel triggers DNA damage in glioma cells, inducing apoptosis and enhancing sensitivity to radiation. In orthotopic brain tumour models, combining the gel with radiotherapy dramatically reduced tumour relapse, offering a more effective strategy than conventional post-surgical treatment alone.

Importantly, this approach could also allow lower doses of radiotherapy, reducing side effects while maintaining treatment efficacy.

“This sequential gel not only strengthens therapeutic outcomes but also minimises radiation-related side effects, creating a safer, more effective regimen,” said Dr Jason Lin, first author of the study. Professor Feng-Huei Lin added, “Our findings demonstrate that locally delivered, time-controlled chemotherapy can significantly improve radiotherapy effectiveness and reduce high-grade glioma recurrence.”

This innovative gel represents a promising advance in tackling one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, offering new hope for patients and clinicians alike.

More information online

1.    Postoperatively injected gel with sequential delivery of platinum agents to synergize with radiotherapy for suppressing high-grade glioma relapse published in Chemical Engineering Journal