Glioblastoma is a lethal form of brain cancer in which most patients perish within nine to twelve months of diagnosis. Surgery and radiation for tumor removal is particularly challenging for children. The FDA-approved chemotherapy TMZ is effective in only fifty percent of cases, with rapid development of resistance among the cancer cells.
Dr. Samantha Gerlach is the principle investigator for the glioblastoma and cyclotides project.
A Unique Approach
We have taken an innovative approach to glioblastoma treatment based on cyclotides—small circular peptides—extracted from violets. This led to the discovery in vitro of several cyclotides that can turbocharge the power of TMZ to kill glioblastoma cells by as much as eightfold.
As these cyclotides are found only in miniscule concentrations in violets, we have developed synthetic versions that can be produced in quantities sufficient for clinical studies.
Currently we are exploring novel ways of integrating advanced techniques in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and ethnobotany to specifically target glioblastoma cells within the brain.
Our hope is that violet cyclotides will provide another powerful tool that can prevent development of resistance of glioblastoma cells to current TMZ therapy for both children and adults.