A research team at Uppsala University is developing a new antibody treatment for glioblastoma.

It is Anna Dimberg and her team at Uppsala University who are researching the microenvironment and blood vessels in glioblastoma. They have found that tumor blood vessels are different from normal vessels, and that specific proteins are produced by the vessels, which are significant for the tumor's microenvironment.

In their research, Anna Dimberg's team discovered that a particular protein turned out to be especially interesting. The team has now developed an antibody against this protein. 

It will take time before it can help

By using specific proteins in the blood vessels, the function of the vessels can be altered. This is important because tumor cells travel along the blood vessels into healthy tissue, and it is difficult for drugs to penetrate the blood vessels of brain tumors to kill the tumor cells. By altering the blood vessels, tumor cells can be prevented from spreading. It can also improve the chances of immune cells being able to enter the tumor.

"It will take a long time before this could potentially help. That’s really why we’re working on this, so that one day I can say that clinical trials are underway for a new treatment. Now, at least, I’m closer than I’ve ever been," says Anna Dimberg in a press release from Uppsala University.

More information about Anna Dimberg's research

• Uppsala Universitet: Utforskar nytt grepp för effektivare behandling av aggressiva hjärntumörer

• Uppsala universitet: Ny metod hjälper immunceller angripa hjärntumörer

• Barncancerfonden: Möt våra forskare – Anna Dimberg

• Cancerfonden: Project the vasculature as a target for therapy in brain tumors