Drugs that are typically used for treating HIV are set to undergo clinical trials among individuals who have multiple and incurable brain tumors.
These drugs are lopinavir and ritonavir. They are believed to shrink tumor growth in neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) patients.
Neurofibromatosis 2
Neurofibromatosis 2 is a genetic illness that leads to nerve tumor growth. These tumors are typically benign or noncancerous and could still result in various symptoms.
The condition could lead to tumors like ependymoma, schwannoma, and meningioma, which develop over the membrane that surrounds the brain.
Such noncancerous growth on the spine, meninges, peripheral nerves, and hearing and balance nerves that link the inner ear and the brain.
NF2 is also a type of neurofibromatosis, a group of illnesses that may impact the nervous system and skin.
Symptoms of NF2 may include gradually worsening hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems, especially on uneven ground or in the dark.
These signs and symptoms typically surface during adolescence or early adulthood, though they can start anytime.
The condition is mainly due to a faulty gene. If this NF2 gene is resultantly faulty, it results in the uncontrolled growth of tumors that develop within the nervous system.
In half of all NF2 cases, the gene is passed to a child by a parent. Only one of the parents must have the faulty gene for the child to have a higher risk of getting NF2.
However, there are also cases where the faulty gene has spontaneous development. These cases are pretty unclear.
If the tumors can be found on the spinal cord or brain or in the nerves of the legs or arms, patients may feel limb weakness and headaches.
While one in every 25,000 to 40,000 people have NF2, surgery is the only available treatment method for the condition.
Drugs For Treating NF2 Tumors
Now, for the first time, a trial covering 12 individuals will explore lab studies that examine how the two HIV drugs could slow down and shrink the NF2 tumor growths.
Other studies have revealed that the drugs may also potentially help with other brain tumor types.
According to trial leader professor Oliver Hanemann from the University of Plymouth's Brain Tumor Research Center of Excellence, this step could be the first step towards achieving systemic treatment for NF2-related tumors. This could be helpful for individuals with the inherited condition who have developed several tumors.
It may also be beneficial for individuals who have a one-off mutation of NF2 and have consequently developed a tumor.
As part of the trial, the patients will take the medicines for 30 days. They will undergo a blood test and biopsy before and after the medication. The trial may last a year.
If the trial yields positive outcomes and the research progresses into a larger clinical trial, it could be especially significant for NF2 patients who do not have any effective treatment options.
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