EXTH-29. EVALUATION OF THE ANTITUMOR EFFECT OF A CHEMOTHERAPY-LOADED DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRIMARY BRAIN TUMORS

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Tumor recurrence is therefore inevitable, and median survival is just over 14 months. Currently available treatments are inadequate and do not provide optimal tumor control. We believe that treatment localized directly at the tumor site will eliminate a greater number of infiltrating tumor cells while significantly reducing systemic toxicity. For this project, we are collaborating with a team specializing in bioengineering, who have produced a biomaterial enabling the gradual release of various chemotherapeutic agents. Our aim is to use this biomaterial to deliver chemotherapeutic agents to the tumor site through the surgical cavity. Cell-based assays were carried out using glial tumor cells in the presence of the biomaterial containing chemotherapeutics. A survival study was realized with the Fischer F98 rat model, which underwent partial tumor resection followed by injection of biomaterial containing chemotherapy. Histological studies of brains and resected tissues were also carried out to assess the effect of the biomaterial on the brain environment. In vitro assays showed a strong cytotoxic effect against glial tumor cells at 24h, 48h and 72h of biomaterial-drug incubation. The combination of two chemotherapeutic agents showed the best cytotoxic effect on glial tumor cells. We also performed a partial tumor resection and insertion of the chemotherapy-loaded biomaterial into the surgical cavity of the F98 glioma bearing rat. Similar to in vitro studies, the combination of two antineoplastic agents shows a significant improvement in animal survival. In conclusion, the in vitro and in vivo results of this study show that the combination of chemotherapy has the greatest antitumor effect. We hope that these exciting results will lead to the development of a new treatment for patients with glioblastoma and potentially other diseases where complete tumor resection is impossible.