Multimodal imaging to assess treatment effect of a new therapy for glioblastoma in vivo

Motivation: Patients with treatment-resistant glioblastoma (GBM) have limited treatment options available to them. Goal(s): We seek to develop an optimized imaging protocol to assess the treatment effect of the novel metallocompound, gallium maltolate (GaM) and evaluate in vivo its action as a radiosensitizer. Approach: Our translational rat preclinical model utilizes MRI and MR spectroscopy to longitudinally monitor the treatment effect of GaM in combination with radiation therapy (RT). Results: Combination therapy of GaM+RT in vivo results in a profound and sustained inhibition of established treatment-resistant GBM compared to monotherapy alone. This approach could dramatically change how brain tumors such as GBM are treated. Impact: Our work seeks to shift current research and clinical practice paradigms by utilizing a novel and innovative therapeutic approach to target the iron metabolism of aggressive primary brain tumors for patients with limited treatment options.