A research team from the University of Newcastle is making significant strides in the fight against brain cancer, having secured an $18.7 million grant to develop new treatments for high-grade gliomas. These aggressive cancers affect over 2,000 Australians each year. The funding comes through the Frontier Health and Medical Research initiative and the federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), underscoring the urgency of addressing this critical health issue.
Leading the team is Professor Matt Dun, who draws inspiration from the legacy of astronaut Neil Armstrong. While many recognize Armstrong as the first person to walk on the moon, few are aware of the personal tragedy he faced when his daughter, Karen “Muffie” Armstrong, succumbed to diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) at the age of two. This resonates profoundly with Professor Dun, as his own daughter, Josephine, was diagnosed with DIPG in 2018. He relates his mission to “illuminating the dark side of the moon,” striving to uncover new treatments that could save lives.
In reflecting on the challenges posed by brain cancer, Professor Dun noted that despite significant medical advancements, the field remains critically underserved. “This grant helps bring this into focus. It backs the science, urgency, and collective determination to make a difference,” he stated. The team has identified essential genes linked to DIPG survival and is working on a combination of drugs to target these tumors.
Josephine was among the first children globally to receive a novel therapy called paxalisib, which slowed the tumor’s progression at a late stage. Her father’s research extended her life by an additional year, but she passed away in December 2019, just 22 months after her diagnosis. Now, Professor Dun believes that the new funding represents a turning point in the quest for effective treatments.
The research team plans to refine new drugs designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. “Our mission is to bring one of these new therapies to clinical trials in the next five years,” he remarked. One of their drug candidates recently received accelerated approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, marking a significant milestone in their efforts.
This initiative will not only benefit the University of Newcastle but also involve collaboration with UNSW Sydney, the Children’s Cancer Institute, and the University of Queensland, along with various Australian contract research organizations. Professor Dun emphasized the importance of external collaborations to ensure the effectiveness and safety of therapies.
He explained that high-grade gliomas grow diffusely within the brain, making complete surgical removal nearly impossible. The gene identified by his team drives this diffuse growth, and halting it could enhance the efficacy of existing treatments, including radiotherapy. “If we can stop that with a drug, we can make radiotherapy work better and help patients live longer,” he asserted.
In addition to drug development, advances in radiation techniques are emerging, which could lead to what Professor Dun describes as a “giant leap” in treating these cancers. He expressed optimism that with ongoing research and new discoveries, these once uniformly lethal tumors could become manageable conditions.
As this Newcastle-led team embarks on their ambitious mission, the impact of their work could extend beyond the realm of research, offering hope to countless families affected by brain cancer worldwide.
