Nasal Drops: A Revolutionary Approach to Combat Glioblastoma

Nasal Drops: A Step Forward in Treating Brain Cancer

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine and Northwestern University have pioneered a novel way to administer treatment for glioblastoma—a particularly lethal form of brain cancer—through nasal drops. This technique aims to create a less invasive alternative to current treatments, offering hope where traditional methods fall short.

The Science Behind Nasal Delivery

The study utilizes engineered structures known as spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), designed to transport tumor-fighting agents straight to the brain via the nasal cavity. This innovative method leverages the brain's natural pathways to enhance the immune response against glioblastomas, which are often resistant to conventional treatments.

“We wanted to change this reality and develop a noninvasive treatment that activates the immune response to attack glioblastoma,” said Professor Alexander Stegh, a neurosurgeon involved in the study.

Why Glioblastoma is So Challenging

Glioblastomas are known as “cold tumors.” Unlike “hot tumors” that invoke a robust immune response, these tumors are tricky to treat because they often evade detection by the body's defenses. Traditional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation may help extend survival, but they typically do not cure the disease. With over 12,000 glioblastoma diagnoses in the U.S. each year, and no effective cure currently available, a fresh approach is desperately needed.

The Mechanism of Action: Stimulation of the Immune Response

The research highlights how SNAs can trigger a cellular pathway known as stimulator of interferon genes (STING). This pathway is critical because it activates immune cells to engage with cancerous cells, showing potential not only to shrink tumors but also to create a more amenable tumor microenvironment.

Stegh explains, “In our current work, we show that the new SNAs not only shrink tumors but also 'warm up' an otherwise cold, immunosuppressed tumor environment, facilitating a more favorable response to existing therapies.”

Real-world Applications and Next Steps

Currently, this treatment is in its experimental stage. Although not available for consumer use, the researchers aim to transition their findings into clinical settings. Professor Stegh envisions that the nasal spray will eventually resemble conventional products but will require optimization for effective dosing and stability.

In animal studies, the administration of these nasal drops has shown promising results, with treatments able to eradicate tumors after just one or two doses. This contrasts sharply with the lengthy and invasive procedures typically required by current methods.

Potential Broader Implications

This innovative research opens the door not only for glioblastoma treatments but could also lead to advancements in therapies for other difficult-to-treat cancers that involve similar immunosuppressive environments.

A Cautious Optimism

While the findings are certainly encouraging, Stegh cautions that additional research is required to understand fully how these advances will translate to human patients. Current therapeutic approaches will still need reinforcement as triggering the STING pathway alone is unlikely to be sufficient for curing glioblastomas.

“This could allow physicians to double or triple the therapeutic targets within a single therapy,” he stated, highlighting the potential of integrating multiple treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

This exciting research reiterates the intrinsic link between medical innovation and patient hope. The introduction of noninvasive treatments like nasal drops represents not only a technical advancement in oncology but also a necessity for those impacted by aggressive brain cancer.

For more information on this emerging treatment or details on brain cancer, please reach out to health@newsweek.com.

Reference

Mahajan, A. S., Dussold, C., Kim, S., et al. (2025). cGAS-agonistic spherical nucleic acids reprogram the glioblastoma immune microenvironment and promote antitumor immunity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(45), e2409557122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2409557122