University scientists at the Brain Tumor Research Center of Excellence are conducting a clinical trial to see whether the use of anti-retroviral drugs, ritonavir and lopinavir, can help people with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2).
Rare inherited genetic conditions that cause tumors such as schwannoma (which includes acoustic neuroma), ependymoma, and meningioma that grow on the membranes surrounding the brain.
"This could be the first step toward systemic treatment for NF2-related tumors, for patients who have inherited NF2 and develop multiple tumors, as well as for patients who once had an NF2 mutation. and a tumor has developed as a result, said Professor Oliver Hanemann, who is leading the clinical trial.
He said, "If the results are positive and the research develops into a large clinical trial, it would be the most significant change for patients with this condition, for whom there is no effective treatment."
During the trial, which will last a year, patients will undergo tumor biopsies and blood tests before undergoing 30 days of treatment with the two drugs.
They will then have another biopsy and blood tests to determine whether the drug combination managed to enter the tumor cells and have the expected effect, the researchers said.
Rare inherited genetic conditions that cause tumors such as schwannoma (which includes acoustic neuroma), ependymoma, and meningioma that grow on the membranes surrounding the brain.
"This could be the first step toward systemic treatment for NF2-related tumors, for patients who have inherited NF2 and develop multiple tumors, as well as for patients who once had an NF2 mutation. and a tumor has developed as a result, said Professor Oliver Hanemann, who is leading the clinical trial.
He said, "If the results are positive and the research develops into a large clinical trial, it would be the most significant change for patients with this condition, for whom there is no effective treatment."
During the trial, which will last a year, patients will undergo tumor biopsies and blood tests before undergoing 30 days of treatment with the two drugs.
They will then have another biopsy and blood tests to determine whether the drug combination managed to enter the tumor cells and have the expected effect, the researchers said.
